Discontent in Great Expectations :: Free Great Expectations Essays

Discontent in Great Expectations   Many people strive for things that are out of their reach. In the novel Great Expectations, Charles Dickens shows the themes of personal inhalation and discontent with present conditions. The main character, Pip, shows early on in the story that he is unhappy with his current situation. Throughout the story he strives for the things that are beyond his reach, and is apathetic to the things that he can obtain. Pip demonstrates this by striving for Estella when he could have Biddy, and yearning to be a gentleman when he could be a blacksmith.   The first way that Pip demonstrates these themes is by reaching for things that are unattainable to him. For example, Pip is in love with Estella, but he cant have her because she doesnt like him. as well Miss Havishams man-hating ways have brushed off on her, and she wants nothing to do with Pip. other thing that Pip strives for is to flex a gentleman. He cannot become a gentleman, ho wever, because he is just a commoner. He is very smitten, for example, with the beautiful young lady at Miss Havishams and she is more beautiful than anybody ever was and I admire her dreadfully and I want to be a gentleman on her account (780). Thus, Pip wants to become a gentleman only for Estella.   Another way that Pip shows his discontent with his present life is by not wanting to be a blacksmith when it would be very practical for him. Pips brother-in-law is a blacksmith which would pretend it easy for him to learn the trade. Also, Miss Havisham agreed to pay for his apprenticeship, yet Pip insists that he is better than that and is upset by that fact that he is just a commoner. He states his dissatisfaction with my home, my trade and with everything (773). Pip also turns away(predicate) Biddy when she is something that is obtainable to him. Biddy is somebody in the story that really loves Pip, yet he turns her away and uses her to get what he wants. Pip als o gives the impression that he is better than Biddy when he is no less a commoner than she is.