Social Class Hides True Self free essay sample

Through Bentley Drummle’s snobby attitude and Magwitch’s impact on Pip’s life, Dickens demonstrates the idea that social class often times doesn’t show true self. Although Bentley Drummle’s social status is high, his morality is low. After a day at the Pockets’ house and meeting Bentley Drummle, Pip describes Drummle: â€Å"Heavy in figure, movement, and comprehension- in the sluggish complexion of his face, and in the large awkward tongue that seemed to loll about in his mouth as he himself lolled about in a room- he was idle, proud, niggardly, reserved, and suspicious. He came of rich people down in Somersetshire, who had nursed this combination of qualities until they made the discovery that it was just of age and a blockhead. † (213) Because Pip uses the words idle, proud, niggardly, reserved, and suspicious, it indicates Pip not liking Drummle. When Pip is describing Drummle, he has not spoken to Drummle yet which means Pip can already infer that Drummle has a snobby attitude towards people in the lower class. We will write a custom essay sample on Social Class Hides True Self or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page At dinner one night, Pip notices Mr. Jaggers trying to reveal Drummle’s true self: â€Å"If his object in singling out Drummle were to bring him out still more, it Pham 2 erfectly succeeded. In a sulky triumph, Drummle showed his morose depreciation of the rest of us, in a more and more offensive degree until he became downright intolerable. Through all his stages, Mr. Jaggers followed him with the same strange interest. He actually seemed to serve as a zest to Mr. Jaggers wine. † (226) Mr. Jaggers is a lawyer so he should be used to understanding people’s actions and words. He knows Drummle’s attitude towards other people but he seems to like it. As Drummle is arguing with Pip about a loan he borrowed from Startop, Mr. Jaggers purposely proposes a toast to Drummle to single him out. After this approach, Drummle becomes boorish because of being singled out. Just because Bentley Drummle is in the higher class does not mean he will be considerate to others. Although Magwitch’s past shows he is a criminal, he is able to find kindness in his true self. During an approach by Magwitch, Pip says: â€Å"After each question he tilted me over a little more, so as to give me a greater sense of helplessness and danger. † (3) As the convict tilts Pip more and more, he shows his cold demeanor and how much he wants Pip to get him a file and food. After he lets Pip go, he says: â€Å"Now I ain’t alone, as you may think I am. There’s a young man hid with me, in comparison with which young man I am an angel. That young man hears the words I speak. That young man has a secret way pecooliar to himself of getting at a boy, and at his heart, and at his liver. It is in wain for a boy to attempt to hide himself from that young man. † This is Magwitch’s way to telling Pip that inside he is not who he thinks he is. Magwitch is trying to say he is innocent and can be nice. Because Pip ends up getting Magwitch the file and food, Magwitch sees kindness in him and devotes his life to earning a fortune for Pip. When Pip is in jail with Magwitch, Magwitch tells him: â€Å"Look’ee here, Pip. I’m your second father. You’re my son—more to me nor any son. I’ve put away money, only for you to spend. When I was a hired-out shepherd in a solitary hut, not seeing no faces but faces of sheep till I half-forgot wot men’s and women’s faces wos like, I see yourn. I see you there a many times plain as ever I see you on them misty marshes. ‘Lord strike me dead! ’ I says each time—and I goes out in the open air to say it under the open heavens—‘but wot, if I gets liberty and money, I’ll make that boy a gentleman! ’ And I done it. Why, look at you, dear boy! Look at these here lodgings of yourn, fit for a lord! A lord? Ah! You shall show money with lords for wagers, and beat ’em! † From the beginning of the story, Magwitch has been known as a criminal because of his past. Because of Pip’s kindness towards Magwitch, Magwitch is able to find kindness in himself and earn a fortune for Pip. He may have been a cold, low class man but was able to bring out his kindness by devoting his life for Pip. Earning a fortune for Pip helps Pip realize that Magwitch has loyalty and an inner worth. By earning a fortune for Pip, Magwitch signifies loyalty and kindness can come from anyone.