Climbing Social Ladders In Charles Dickens Great Expectations

Climbing Social Ladders, a characterization of Pip
Throughout our lives we meet people who go through many changes as they advance further in society; some changes are for the better of the individual, others not so much. These changes can be caused by monetary gain, advancements in their field of work, or a group of new friends. For example, in the novel Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Pip goes through many changes in hopes of appeasing the heart and standards of the gorgeous yet cold-hearted Estella, changes such as being eager to self-improve, becoming snobby, and being shameful of his origins.
From very early in the novel you discover that Pip is ambitious to better himself. For example, after confronting Estella he wishes
In this quote Pip is being snobby when he states he is naturally changing his acquaintances. The funny thing is that he is even acknowledging that as he climbs the social ladder he must abandon his old friendships, such as his companionship with Joe, so those from his past do not make him look bad in front of his new high society acquaintances. After Estella tells Pip what is good and bad company for him he decides not to make the trips back home to see Joe. It seems he does this so he can show Estella how he is changing so he can be more appealing to her. Once again, Pip gets a snobby attitude towards Trabb’s boy when he is trying to embarrass him: “Casting my eyes along the street at a certain point of progress, I beheld Trabb’s boy approaching. / I advanced with that expression of countenance, and was rather congratulating my self on my success. / as I passed him, his teeth loudly chattered in his head, and with every mark of extreme humiliation he prostrated himself in the dust” (266). When Pip gives Trabb’s boy the look of countenance it is as if he is expressing to Trabb’s boy do not even looking my direction you are not worth my precious time. Yet, as he keeps making his way down the street he prides himself on being snobby; it is almost like he is playing a part and thinking I could get used to this.
For example, Pip gets embarrassed when he gets word that Joe is going to sojourn in London and is coming to visit him: “Let me confess exactly with what feeling I looked forward to Joe’s coming. Not with pleasure, though I was bound to him by so many ties/ if I had could have kept him away by paying money. I certainly would have paid money” (237-238). Here Pip is panicking that that Joe is going to see him. Pip does not want this to happen because all of Pip’s high-class acquaintances will see what Pip came from. Pip believes if everyone knows of his origins then will all look down upon him and not accept him. Pip is again ashamed of Joe when he arrives at his quarters for their visit, “As the time approached I should have liked to run away, but the Avenger pursuant to orders was in the hall, and presently I heard Joe on the staircase, I knew it was Joe by his clumsy manner / and by the time it took him to read the names of the floor in the course of his accent” (238-239). As Joe is coming to the door Pip is so nervous that those around, for example Jaggers, Herbert and Drummle, will make fun of Joe for not being up to their standards. Also Pip is ashamed to have Joe around because he believes Joe will again get clumsy like he did when he and Pip visited Miss Havisham’s, ultimately embarrassing him. Lastly, Pip is ashamed when he intends to go back