Being a Gentleman (Superficially)

Pip’s outsider status grows substantially as he goes to London to become a gentleman. He seems to be in some strange middle ground between the classes. He is not part of the lower-class anymore since he “came into property” and now has “expectations” (on whole the lower-class seems more complacent while the upper-class is always striving to gain societal status). This is really seen when he is afraid to let the townspeople see him in his new clothing and when the tailor’s boy mocks him.

Pip of course doesn’t want to fit into the lower-class anymore and tries desperately to enter the upper-class. He can never fully enter since there is always an emphasis on his mysterious benefactor and the fact he was not born rich and with a title. But this does not dissuade the little idealist and Pip only tries harder to emulate a gentleman. His idea of a gentleman seems to include having unsubstantial manners, spending money, and living lavishly.

I say unsubstantial manners because table etiquette and the other menial pleasantries Pip learns from Herbert don’t seem to carry any weight compared to qualities such as loyalty and compassion that a “true gentleman” (if we want to also be idealistic and romantic) should develop. This lack of true manners is seen in how he condescends to Biddy, Joe, and Magwitch. I suppose this is also, in a slightly twisted way, part of Pip trying to be a gentleman and overcome his outsider status. By rejecting his past connections with the lower-class he can somewhat rise socially.

I was surprised by how much debt Pip was in due to his “lavish habits” that “corrupted the simplicity of [Herbert’s] life.” How did Pip suddenly develop these habits? He grew up as an orphan, he didn’t have anything lavish. I suppose his spending is an overcompensation as he tries to fit into his idea of a gentleman. I found the section about him and Herbert reviewing their debt equally ridiculous. They apparently only need their debt to be neatly ordered in a symmetrical pack to feel better. This idea of order and structure fits into the greater scheme of being an established gentleman with place and purpose.

Place is also emphasized in the young gentlemen’s club, Finches of the Grove. They seem to imitate everything Pip thinks is gentlemanly since they follow menial rules and traditions in order to “dine expensively once a fortnight, to quarrel among themselves as much as possible.” Although Pip seems like he has overcome his outsider status at the meetings, it is only because he is with among other boys trying to become gentlemen. His friction with the wealthy and titled Drummle also shows how he is still very much on the outside of high society.