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A little insight into Pip's general state of mind at this point. Not a ton to discuss in this chapter, so let's look at a big question:
Do you think Dickens wanted to portray Pip as a sympathetic character? If so, what are your reasons for believing this? If not, what does Dickens want us to think of Pip, in your opinion?
12 comments:
I do not believe that Dickens wanted to portray Pip as a sympathetic character (at least i dont belive so at this time). I believe that Dickens wanted Pip to seem selfish (probably to show a change in attitude later on down the road). It seems that everything Pip does is either out of fear or paranoia. Giving the food to the Convict would have been a nice thing if he was doing it out of the kindness of his heart, but he wasnt. He gave the food to the convict because he was scared to be attacked by the secret "other" man the convict mentioned. In Chapter Six, you see another selfish side of Pip. He does have a close relationship with Joe, but not a healthy one. Pip doesnt tell Joe the truth about the food. His reasoning for keeping this is a selfish one. Pip says he couldnt stand knowing that Joe looked down on him, that he would be afraid of Pip doing the same crime again. Pip doesnt understand doing the right thing out of sympathy for others. He does the right thing out of his own self gain or importance.
I happen to disagree with Kelcey. I believe that Dickens is trying to portray Pip as a sympathetic character. By definition, a sympathetic character is a fictional character in a story with whom the writer expects the reader to identify with and care about, if not neccessarily admire. Pip is a great example of this. Dickens portrays Pip as a poor orphan taken in by his older sister who abuses Pip through her raising "by hand." Pip is a member of lower class Victorian society who seeks, like many citizens, to become "uncommon" and move to the upperclass living conditions. He first tries to do this by attending school. Dickens portrays Pip struggles in a manner in which the reader can easily relate to the feelings in which Pip goes through throughout the novel. For example, when Pip steals the file and food for the convicts, he does it out of fear of what will happen to him if he doesn't. Any reader can relate to a feeling of fear of what will happen if you don't do something. Also, many readers can relate to wanting to change a position that they hold in society to become "better." It is human nature to better ourselves to the best situation we can. Pip likewise feels this way and therefore tries to become "uncommon" by attending a school. Dickens, therefore, portrays Pip as a sympathetic character in Great Expectations.
Nice. I like disagreements. Can't wait to see where other people fall on this topic...
It seems as though Pip is a sympathetic character. Dickens essentially makes Pip look like the "underdog" amongst the other characters. Seriously, Pip is an orphan living with his oppressive sister and his only friend is a middle aged blacksmith, who wouldn’t be able to somehow empathize with him. Pip is the type of character that people can relate to and a character people can cheer for in hopes that he can better himself. Pip gets degraded not just by his sister (who by normal standards should be expected to build him up), but also by other adults such as Mr. Pumblechook. It's as though Pip can't catch a break, and most people have probably experienced that in their lives in one form or another. Especially since Pip is faced with the burden of confronting or ignoring his mistake of stealing from Joe and not fessing up. The internal conflict Pip has really just adds on to the struggles he already has, and adds to his ability to relate to readers. The conflict between relieving guilt and possibly loosing the trust of a friend, or moving on and hoping the lies won't eat away at him forever really made me feel for Pip, hoping that somehow he can both relieve his guilt and maintain his relationship with Joe.
I think Pip is somewhat sympathetic. I think he helped that convict partly out of fear but also because he felt bad for the guy. He doesn't have a lot going for him in his life at this time and he helped someone else out. I think this chapter showing his guilt that he hadn't told the whole truth to Joe shows that he has a conscience eating at him. He wants to do the right thing and tell the whole truth, but yet he's once again afraid that he'll lose that one person he can turn to and confine in. I think all readers can relate to that feeling, that if you tell the truth to someone they may turn away from you or second guess you from that point on. It's great to read this internal conflict with him.
I think Pip is a sympathetic character. He is the character in the book that everyone can relate to in one way or another. He has fears and hardships just like everyone. His fears are of what the escaped convict will do to him and everyone can relate to having fears of what others will do and how they will react to our actions. His hardships are dealing with the abuse from his sister raising him "by hand". He is sympathetic toward Joe because Joe is the only person who understands how Mrs.Joe treats them and they both suffer the same thing. They share the same suffering which bonds them together in a unique way. Pip is also very willing to learn because he wants to make himself uncommon which shows that Pip is unhappy with just becomming a common lower class society member and wants to make a better future for himself.
I believe Dickens does want to portray Pip as a sympathetic character. With this, it makes the story a little bit more engaging. He may have created wanted to create his personality in a way in which the reader can relate. He wants us to be on Pips side. Agree with him and feel how he feels. Joe acts as Pips “savior.” Someone who Pip looks up to and cares about deeply. He wanted to confess what really happened because it ate away at his conscious. We have all done something we feel extremely guilty for. And we have all not told the truth to avoid getting in trouble. In Pip’s case, avoid losing Joe’s confidence.
Like everyone else, I think Dickens wanted to portray Pip as a sympathetic character. I think he also wanted to show the innocence of a child, which makes Pip seem very sympathetic in the beginning of the novel, when he is looking at his parent's graves, but he never really knew them as people. He is taken into the hands of a sister who does not show any love or compassion towards him. And when the convict tells him to bring him a file and food, he does so without telling anyone because he feels he will be killed because of the convict's words. Pip seems sympathetic because he is vulnerable to the world and the cirmumstances he is put into. I liked Elizabeth's definition of a sympathetic character, because it makes me certain that Pip fits this category, because he is identifiable and is easy to want the best for.
I do believe that Dickens set out to portray Pip as a sympathetic character. Pip was easy to identify with, and was seen as a poor orphan child raised by a sister that he couldn't relate to. Dickens again made Pip easy to identify with once Pip stole Joe's tools, for Pip didn't commit the crime out of spite, but for general fear for himself. Again, Dickens made Pip identifiable with when Pip was in school, and was struggling, which is a feeling many readers can relate to. Pip clearly fits Elizabeth's definition of a sympathetic character, in which his emotions and thoughts are easy to relate to, and I've generally found myself caring about him throughout the novel.
I think Pip is definitely a sympathetic character. He has a conscience and he refers to people in a non-judgmental feeling way. His sympathy starts at the very beginning when he describes the convicts character and situation. Sure he was scared by him but he regretted his condition and made the decision to help him instead of turning him in. He also shows lots of sympathy for Joe and their life, he feels he cannot stand up to his sister with her stance and in a way respects that. Even when he goes to mrs. havisham's he doesnt berate her situation and mental oppression he shows he feels sorry for her with the speech that is used. He even is sympathetic or falls victim willingly to estella. Pip rides underneith the waves and does not step out too boldly instead he agrees with everyone and trys to keep under the radar. he even gets surprised when he can step out, like when he beat up the man in ch 11.
I beleive that Dickens wanted to portray Pip as a sympathetic character. Pip is easy to relate to in many situations. He gets along with one parental figure better than another, which is something many kids do. Pip has some tough descisions to make, like what to do about the convict, but he gives into fear, even though he knows it is wrong. Many people would do the same if they felt thier life was in danger-if they were being honest. Pip may not have had a conventiuonal childhood, being raised by his sister, but hegets himself into trouble, asks too many questions, and acts like a normal kid. These traits make the reader able to relate to Pip in some way.
I think that Dickens wanted to portray Pip as a sympathetic character, however I believe that you cannot sympathize will Pip based on his actions. So far, we have known only tragedy for Pip and so it is easy to sympathize and see that Dickens is possibly trying to create Pip into a sympathetic character. However, especially from chapter 6, I think that Pip shows that he is a bit selfish (as said above). As he watches Joe look for his file, which Pip has stolen, Pip almost tells Joe what really happened with the convict. However, because Pip believes that if he tells Joe the truth, it will ruin their friendship; so Pip keeps it a secret. Now, although they seem like two different characters, I think that Pip and Mrs. Joe are actually a bit similar. Similar in the fact that both are a bit selfish, they just show it in different ways. Now is Mrs. Joe a sympathetic character? Absolutely not; but Pip is in a similar situation, is he a sympathetic character? I do not think so.
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