The Virtual Coffeehouse

I honestly haven't read many of the other posts on this question (sorry!) yet since it's almost midnight but I'll share what I think.

How Pip self identifies is called into question by the influence of Estella and her calling him common and coarse. These words are repeated several times during the first part of Pip's expectations, making the impression that these words had a huge affect on him and are a driving force in him wanting to rise about his lower class status. He didn't know how the other class lived and when he sees the great estate inhabited by Estella and her grandmother, he begins to hate and be ashamed of his own home. The coming into contact of a lower class boy with higher class individuals and a lifestyle cause him to be very conscious of his position.

I agree with what Jennifer is bringing up.

Pip's notion of social class and his own identity are the main foundations of the entire plot. Pip's quest to become a gentlemen, escape the lower class and marry Estella is the main quest of Great Expectations. What struck me was how after Pip began visiting Satis House for a few months, he was still lower class but his mind had shifted to try and attempt to be upper class. Pip's continual spurning of both Joe and Biddy shows his desire to become upper class, even at the cost of the ones he truly loves.

Obviously in the end Pip learns that true identity comes from the ones you love and who love you, not the social class you represent. But his journey to that point, or the time where Pip the Narrator is, takes many years all involving Pip's journey through the Lower class of Kent to the Upper class of London.

Jennifer Picalila wrote:How Pip self identifies is called into question by the influence of Estella and her calling him common and coarse. These words are repeated several times during the first part of Pip's expectations, making the impression that these words had a huge affect on him and are a driving force in him wanting to rise about his lower class status.

Jennifer Picallila points out Estella's repetitive habit of referring to Pip as common and course. I also agree that it is words like this that impact Pips desire to become part of the upper class. Estella's beauty, position, and wealth make her a rather prominent figure in the eyes of Pip. Consquently Pip finds value in her words and in turn finds himself attempting to forget his upbringing. The more he listens to the words of Estella the more he is reminded of the diverging upbringings they each have had and he quite clearly values her upbringing and lifestyle over his own.