"No man was not a true gentleman at heart, ever was since the world began, a true gentleman in manner." (Page 175)

In Dickens' novel, society's idea of a gentleman is perceived as someone of great affluence and breeding, who did not necessarily posses the moral values and graces a true gentleman should have. After his initial visit to Satis House, Pip was infatuated by Estella's beauty, wealth, and self-importance. He allowed himself to be degraded by her scornful references to his "coarse

"...sublime compassion for the poor creatures who are destined to go there, Sunday after Sunday, all their lives through, to lie obscurely at last amongst the low green moulds." (Page 143)

Dickens is also highly critical of the criminal justice system of his time. Apparently, not even this just institution could escape the false notions of class and gentility. Both Judge and Jury alike are swindled into believing that the older, hardened, "ragged" Magwitch corrupted Compeyson, the young "gentleman" with no criminal record. He tells how Magwitch was condemned before the trial even began, because of his villainous appearance, while the public school educated Compeyson was able to manipulate the trial, receiving seven years imprisonment as opposed to Magwitch's fourteen. This provides yet another example of Dickens' message not to form an opinion of someone based on external appearances alone.

Dickens obviously believed that every human being is capable of doing good, and within everyone, there is some hope of reform. He showed this by Magwitch's striking transformation from a hardened criminal, into a softened human being. Although he was to be executed for his crimes, he experienced the kindness and love from both Herbert and Pip, which his upbringing denied him. This tames the rough side of his nature. He is able to die with dignity and beauty, knowing that his dreams have been fulfilled. Dickens shows there is also some hope for the withered, old, estranged from humanity Miss Havisham, who is finally able to understand the pain Pip is going through, due to his unrequited love for Estella. Only then does she acknowledge the suffering she has willingly inflicted upon Pip, and her hardened shell seems to break into "pity and remorse." Once again, Dickens has shown us that the only time Miss Havisham gained any respect from the reader was in her acceptance o!

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In the poor and deprived world Dickens portrays in his novel, society fawns upon the rich and exploits the poor. Due to wholly superficial reasons, such as his "coarse voice, laborers tobacco and jack knife," Magwitch will always be branded a criminal by Victorian society. The gentlemanly Pip is repelled and disgusted at his first encounter with Magwitch at Barnard's Inn. He is also utterly horrified by the "uncouth, noisy, and greedy" table manners the convict displayed, likening him to a "hungry dog." Instead of being grateful to Magwitch once he finds out that he is in fact his true benefactor, he is instead sickened by the news that a convict has fueled his whole lifestyle. While he is able to so precisely pinpoint all of Magwitch's faults and failings, he finds it harder to find fault with Bentley Drummle, who is probably less of a true gentleman than Magwitch. Of course his clothes, manners, and membership of Finches satisfy society's shallow criteria for the defi!

Dickens indicates further that the chance for reform is in all of us, gentility aside. He shows this in the way

Some common words found in the essay are:
Miss Havisham, Biddy Joe, Judge Jury, Satis House, Pumblechook Impostor, Bentley Drummle, Pip Boy, Victorian Society, House Pip, Pip Sir, true gentleman, miss havisham, moral values, victorian society, wealth social status, visit satis, satis house, finally able, joe biddy, biddy cultivate, social status, visit satis house,
Approximate Word count = 2064
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)