Great Expectations Coming Of Age Quotes

Alyson Brinkley
Mrs. Gillis
Pre-Ap English 1, Period 6
December 10, 2014
The Final Destination Growing up is a fact of life. Growing and changing come hand in hand. Coming of age isn’t determined by a number, but a series of life lessons and experiences. Pip in Great Expectations by Charles Dickens goes through many different states on the road to finding himself. The states that Pip goes through as he comes of age are finding a place to belong, discovering who he can depend on, and defining what really matters in life. The first stepping stone in Pip’s coming of age is finding a place to belong. A quote that shows the fact that Pip did not know where his place was is when he says "I am ashamed to say it," I returned, "and yet it 's no
The first lifelong companion that Pip figures out he can depend on is Joe when he tells him “I wish it was only me that got put out, Pip; I wish there wasn’t no Tickler for you, old chap; I wish I could take it all on myself…” (50). Through Joe’s comforting and caring words, Pip knows he can depend on him as not only a best friend but a father. Despite the abuse of Mrs. Joe, he wants to do right by women, and more than anything else, he wants to protect Pip, in which Pip comes to realize and respect about him. Another person Pip learns he can depend on is Biddy, from which he says “She was not beautiful - she was common, and could not be like Estella - but she was pleasant and wholesome and sweet-tempered” (131). Although he will never love her in the way he loves Estella, Pip will always trust and depend on Biddy because of her patient behavior and her role in helping Pip with his education. Biddy is a constant in Pip’s life, a stable aspect in which he knows he can always depend on. Another person who Pip depends on throughout his coming of age is Miss Havisham when she says "You made your own snares. I never made them” (361). Pip can depend on Miss Havisham to be honest with him. Without the honesty from Miss Havisham, it would be harder for Pip to grow up. Once Pip learned whom he could depend on, those individuals helped him grow up and come of
A quote that shows the fact that Pip did not know what was actually important is when he says “I was to leave the village at five in the morning… and I told Joe that I was to walk all alone. I am afraid… that this purpose originated in my sense of the contrast there would be between me and Joe, if we went to coach together “ (156). Pip was so concerned about his social status that he was ashamed to be seen with Joe. Before Pip learns what is most important in life, he thinks it is his social status. A quote showing Pip’s transition into realizing the important aspects of life is when he thinks, “It was fine summer weather again, and, as I walked ... sunshine should be softened as they thought of me (260). In this thought, Pip is reminiscing on his childhood and with this develops a hope to be remembered after he is gone. Pip comes to realize in the back of his mind that he wants to be remembered for his personality, and not so much his status. Another quote in which Pip finally realizes what is most important is when he states “I washed the weather and the journey from my face and hands, and went out to the memorable old house that it would have been so much the better for me never to have entered, never to have seen” (270). Pip comes to the conclusion that he would’ve been better off if he had never entered the satis house or ever