I found it interesting how in this novel some of the characters had multiple names. For example, Pip was referred to as "Handel", "Sir", "Mr.", all depending on the situation and the person addressing him. Each name had a significance, such as Handel representing a man that wrote a piece of music Herbert knew of about a blacksmith. As for Sir, Pip conveyed his annoyance at hearing the title directed at him by Joe. Pip is not the only one with multiple names, his benefactor also has a few, and the novel makes quite a few mentions of characters and their "christened" names. It was also interesting that one of two conditions of Pip's coming into his "Great Expectations" was that he had to always go by "Pip". This must have carried a special significance to Pip's benefactor, Magwitch. Perhaps he was hoping to preserve some quality in the young boy even as he became a gentlemen. Or maybe he was just worried about locating the boy should he choose a different name as a gentleman. Unfortunately, this is as far as my thought process takes me. I was wondering if anyone could help me build upon the significance of names in this novel. :)
1 comment:
I love this connection Julie made on the different names! I felt that each name Pip went by almost had a level of maturity or respect with it. Pip is used when he is young and naive. Handel is used by his new friends in London. Sir and Mr. are for when he is a gentleman.
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