The Virtual Coffeehouse

I completely agree with all of the previous posts regarding the fact that Pip is very conscious of his social class and feels ashamed of it. I think it's also important to point out that, like in other Dickens stories, Pip may be of a low social class but he and Joe are the characters with conscience. Miss Havisham, Estella, Mr Pumblechook, and Mr Wopsle are all of higher social standing than Pip, but they are mean, judgemental, unpleasant people, and it is strange how they make Pip want to be like them by being such nasty people. Pip and Joe may be poor and uneducated, but Pip demonstrates a genuine conscience in his dealings with the convict, and Joe is the nicest guy you could as for. I think it foreshadows some things about Pip's future, that all of the upper class characters he strives to equal are such horrible people.