Great expectations is a novel written by Charles Dickens, that is a coming of age that follows pip. Although the focus of the story is on Pip, two characters at the beginning of the novel contrast each other’s personalities and actions. These two opposing characters are Uncle Pumblechook and Joe Gargery. Despite both of these characters being relevant in Pip’s childhood, they had different effects on Pip childhood. Uncle Pumblechook is Joe Gargery’s uncle, and Mrs. Joe Gargery considers him as one of her closest friends as they both share a sense of self importance. Joe Gargery can be considered as one of Pip's friends and a mentor Pip can look up to and gain life values from. However, despite Joe’s attempts at taking care of Pip and attempting to mentor him, Pip ultimately does not listen to Joe and treats Joe coldly. Dickens uses the contrasting differences between Joe and Mr. Pumblechook to highlight the standards during the Victorian era and how people were classified based on their wealth and social standing rather than their humility and moral values.
Mr. Pumblechook is introduced as a wealthy, self-important corn merchant and the uncle of Joe Gargery. His character is a direct representation of Victorian middle-class pretentiousness and the ego it causes. From his first appearance, Mr. Pumblechook is depicted as a greedy individual, always eager to associate himself with those of higher social standing and wealth for the sole purpose of elevating his own social standing to make him appear better. His desire for more wealth is shown when he takes credit for Pip’s rise in fortune, despite doing nothing to contribute to Pip’s rise in success, and uses Pip’s own success to elevate his own social standing. Pumblechook’s attitude towards Pip starkly contrasts before and after Pip’s success. Initially, he treats Pip with condescension and disdain, reflecting the prejudice of those in a lower class. However, once he knew of Pip’s success and wealth, he fawns over him and seeks to become a crucial part of Pip’s life, proving how much of a greedy individual Pumblechook is.
Joe Gargery, on the other hand, is a humble blacksmith and Pip’s brother-in-law. Unlike Mr. Pumblechook, Joe is characterized by his genuine kindness, humility, and morality. Joe’s love for Pip is unconditional, and he consistently acts in Pip’s best interest, even when Pip’s behavior becomes snobbish and dismissive of Joe’s actions. Joe’s simplicity and goodness are evident in his interactions with Pip; he endures the abuse of his wife Mrs. Joe, without complaint, and he forgives Pip’s ingratitude without harboring any resentment. A good example of this is when Joe caught Pip not eating his food for the sake of the convict, yet only told on him because he was worried that he would starve, “'You know, Pip,' said Joe, solemnly, with his last bite in his cheek and speaking in a confidential voice, as if we two were quite alone, 'you and me is always friends, and I'd be the last to tell upon you, any time. But such a—' he moved his chair and looked about the floor between us, and then again at me - 'such a most oncommon Bolt as that!' Further proving that Joe has always been kind to Pip without complaint, even when he is the one being negatively affected.
The contrasting characters of Mr. Pumblechook and Joe Gargery highlight the novel’s critique of social ambition and material goods. Mr. Pumblechook represents the pursuit of social status and morally wrong things committed to achieve it. His character underscores the superficiality and hypocrisy prevalent in Victorian society, where worth is frequently measured by wealth and social standing rather than by character. Joe Gargery, in contrast, has virtues of humility, honesty, and hard work. He is content with his modest life and his unwavering support for Pip illustrate that true worth is found in one’s character and actions, not in one’s social position. Pip’s relationships with these two characters also mirror his internal struggle with his identity and values. As Pip wants to become a gentleman, he initially gravitates towards the values embodied by Mr. Pumblechook, associating wealth and social status with happiness. However, as he matures, Pip recognizes the emptiness of these pursuits and the importance of genuine human connections and moral integrity, values exemplified by Joe. This realization marks Pip’s moral growth and his eventual rejection of the superficial values he once idolized.
In conclusion, Charles Dickens masterfully uses the characters of Mr. Pumblechook and Joe Gargery in "Great Expectations" to explore and critique the values of Victorian society. Through the contrasting behaviors and attitudes of these two figures, Dickens illuminates the superficiality and moral compromises associated with the pursuit of wealth and social status, as embodied by Mr. Pumblechook. Conversely, Joe Gargery represents the virtues of humility, kindness, and integrity, emphasizing that true worth lies in one’s character and actions rather than in material success. Pip’s interactions with these characters not only highlight the societal norms of the time but also mirror his own internal journey toward self-awareness and moral growth. As Pip matures, he learns to value the genuine human connections and moral principles exemplified by Joe, ultimately rejecting the empty pursuit of social ambition that Mr. Pumblechook represents. Through this, Dickens delivers an important theme about the importance of personal integrity and the true sources of fulfillment in life.
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