Pip's first impression of Estella is that she was "very pretty and seemed very proud" (65). What evidence can you find in the chapter that she is proud? Is this a different meaning of the word "pride" than we are used to?
Miss Havisham is strange beyond strange! How is she described? Any speculations as to why she became the way she is?
Pip leaves his first visit to Satis house feeling totally downheartened. What has he realized?
Pip feels very disheartened when he leaves the Satis house as he realizes for the first time that he is just a common, working boy. While he is with Miss Havisham and Estella, he is criticised “that he was a common labouring-boy; that his hands were coarse; that his boots were thick; that he had fallen into a despicable habit of calling knaves jacks,” (Dickens, 63) He also called himself ignorant as many neighbors commented on how well he was brought up, and he believed them. Now he believes that he was brought up in the wrong way and that is the reason that he is stuck as just a common boy with many downfalls.
ReplyDeleteMr.Pumblechook seems to be a florist in profession, as stated by the many mentions of bulbs and seeds. He is referred to as a "seedsman," so perhaps he specializes in seeds and bulbs and the actual planting and growth of such rather than selling the final product of blossoms or otherwise.
ReplyDeleteI really like florists and actually wanted to be one when I was younger. Gardening is fun!
Pip's first encounter with Estella is quite interesting. She is said to be very proud and be beautiful. We see that she is highly proud in how she commonly refers to Pip as boy. That shows that Estella is showing more power and confidence with Pip. Especially since they are about the same age. " With this boy!why, he is a common laboring-boy!" (58) This line said by Estella when told to play with Pip was a way for her to show her pride for being of upper class. She is displaying the fact that Pip is not of high enough status to play with her. The way that they engage could be sign to another meaning of the word pride. The way that Estella talks to Pip, "...but you see, she don't." (54) the tone taken in from this line seems to suggest that she is talking in a sarcastic kind of way. This line shows that her pride may also be interpreted as cocky. Estella says how Pip "...calls the knaves, jacks," (59) the way that she responds to this situation is unnecessary and rude. "And what coarse hands he has! And what thick boots!"(59) Her observations of Pip was not needed and her insulting of him is rude and cocky. She is saying that she is better and knows better than Pip. She is stating that she is better than him in every way.
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