Charles Dickens Great Expectations

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A famous author, Kurt Vonnegut, once said to “Be careful what you pretend to be because you are what you pretend to be”. In the modern world, people often spend a lot of time creating a false personality for themselves in the hopes of being accepted by society. Charles Dickens explores this idea of self-misrepresentation in his book, Great Expectations. Because Wemmick and Compeyson change their appearance to a more societally accepted personality when in company, the reality of their emotions and actions are obscured by self-developed deception. Since Wemmick changes his personality depending on the social situation, he ends up having two personalities, and those around him are unable to connect with him socially and are shocked by his true…show more content…
25). Wemmick’s change in personality is meant to achieve a happy medium between his two social lives, but it instead leads to him often being restrained and distant, and uncomfortable around others. Also, since Wemmick’s personality is different at work than at home, he is far less comfortable at the office than he should be, because he is constantly hiding his personality from the clients and Mr. Jaggers. As Wemmick and Pip walk back to Mr. Jaggers’ office after visiting Wemmick’s Castle, Pip observes that “Wemmick got dryer and harder as [they] went along, and his mouth tightened … again” (206; ch. 25). As Pip notices how Wemmick’s attitude is completely transformed while he is in the office, Pip realizes how different Wemmick’s true personality was from Wemmick’s adopted appearance, and how awkward their interactions are while Wemmick is at the office. Until Pip saw Wemmick’s true nature, Pip’s interactions with him were strained, but once Wemmick’s personality was laid bare before Pip, he was able to connect with Wemmick on a closer and friendlier level. After Pip tells Mr. Jaggers about Wemmick’s humorous personality and caring nature, Mr. Jaggers exclaims in a state of
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