Great Expectations - Clothing Does Not Make the Man Essay

Great Expectations - Clothing Does Not Make the Man In Great Expectations, Charles Dickens explores the perception that the value of a man increases with his attainment of material wealth. Dickens probes the truth of such a system of values through Pips quest for material gain. This quest is the literal pursuit of a better suit of clothing but is conducted without regard for the kind of man wearing the suit. Thus Dickens poses the question: does it profit a man to gain the world at the risk of losing his soul. It is clear, we see, in Great Expectations, that the answer to Dickenss question is no. As the book opens we find seven-year-old Pip paying remembrance to his deceased family members, now all dead†¦show more content†¦Dickens emphasizes this with Magwitchs brutal behavior, his threats of death if Pip does not do his bidding, but, as is a recurring theme in the novel, we need only the proof of his appearance to pass judgment upon him. Pip in contrast is defenseless, for in the inverted position Magwitch holds him, Pip can be likened to a new-born; Pip is innocent, naked, and ignorant of the world. It is from this point Pip begins the long journey toward the identity of things (24; ch.1). Soon after the incident in the graveyard, Pip is introduced to a class of people deemed superior to his own only by virtue of their wealth. From them, Pip learns to judge others, and himself, by the quantity and quality of their material possessions, rather than the quantity and quality of their humanity. Thus blinded by the tangible, or material, Pip adopts the values of this better class and goes off in blind pursuit of such possessions as will make him an acceptable member of their numbers. Pip is first blinded by material consumption when he meets Estella. It is she who raises this concept of class stratification in him by criticizing his thick boots. Estells calls him a common labouring-boy and criticizes him for the terms by which he calls his cards, He calls the knaves, Jacks, this boy! said Estella with disdain, before our first game was out. And what coarse hands he has. And what thick boots! (73; ch.Show MoreRelated jumpman23- the appeal of advertising Essay1331 Words   |  6 Pages Jumpman23 nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Michael Jordan has star power that bridges age, race, and socioeconomic class. Nike understands this aspect of the popular superstar and decided to give him his own clothing line named Jumpman23. It is the most popular form of sports apparel available and the white logo that adorns each article of apparel is known worldwide. Michael Jordan is arguably the most loved and respected athlete of this generation, thus the ad for this company depicted in ESPN TheRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald Essay1653 Words   |  7 PagesNick Caraway, from F. 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