What Does Humphry House Mean

Humphry House asserts that Pip’s lack of autonomy makes it impossible for him to make lasting developments as a character.“there is never any question of his return.” (House, 646). House frames Pip as a dependent, downplaying his agency. Though there is some truth in Pip’s subjectivity, the overlying narrative in Great Expectation is that of a young man coming of age, painfully, through his own actions and agency. Taking into account what we know of Dickens’ background and ideologies, Houses’ may be a valid take on Pip's journey. Dickens was staunch in the idea that money can not fundamentally change character. “What I dreaded was, that in some unlucky hour I, being at my grimiest and commonest, should lift up my eyes and see Estella looking
‘I don’t like to leave you here,’ I said to Provis, ‘though I cannot doubt your being safer here than near me. Good-bye!’ “ (Dickens, 637). Here and for the first time Pip acts mature. He has hatched a plan to smuggle Magwitch from the country at personal risk. This turning point in the novel refutes House’s argument. Pip has clearly made a lasting change and is acting under his own authority. This interaction is more than a superficial acquisition of “voice or table manners” (House, 646) Pip is showing concern and responsibility for someone else (someone of a lower class), something new from him. It is only when Pip de-idolizes the bourgeoise and starts to find value in his own course and common roots that he starts to act like an
The relationship that develops between Pip and Magwitch is symbolic of Pip’s coming to terms with his own roots. Initially it pains Pip to see Magwitch “I could not bring myself to bear the sight of him, and I thought he had a worse look by daylight.” (Dickens, 584). Even the news of Magwitch's patronage was not enough to win Pip over, for the first time it is going to take more than just money to win Pip. Since learning Magwitch's story he grows in respect for his patron and grows in maturity. Magwitch helps Pip come to terms with his own common background, from here on out Pip has a new lease on his life. In line with Dickens’ ideas on class and society Pip starts to appreciate those characters who love him regardless of class. This learning to love is the key to Pip’s coming of