One idea of defining a gentlemen is by his social status or class: this is measured in terms of his understanding of rules of social etiquette (table manners and so on), habits of dress and speech and the standing of his family; of course, wealth is important, too. Even a "poor" gentleman, such as Matthew Pocket employs a number of servants. Early in the novel Pip forms this idea when he meets the beautiful Estella, which makes him desperate to be her social equal. At the same time he becomes ashamed of his honest master, the blacksmith Joe, and is disgusted by the recollection of his

dealings with the convict, Magwitch. Then, there is another quite different standard apparent from early on in the novel, and which Pip eventually realizes: that being a true gentleman is a matter of virtue and honesty, of having a station in life which one can fill with dignity, as Biddy says of Joe.

Throughout the story, Joe remained the one and only true gentleman. He is ever unselfish, sincere, and caring. He puts the needs of others before himself. The novel therefore uses Joe to define true gentlemanliness; it is not dependent on one’s social class, status, or wealth; it is dependent on one’s inherent quality and character, and for that reason, a gentleman cannot be made, not through money or elevation of social status. A gentleman can only be truly made through self discovery, respect, and compassion.

Joe's quiet goodness makes him one of the few completely sympathetic characters in Great Expectations. Although he is uneducated and unrefined, he consistently acts for the benefit of those he loves and suffers in silence when Pip treats him coldly. Joe is uneducated and perhaps a little slow but he understands the important things in life. Even though Joe is Pip’s adoptive father, he never ceases to treat Pip as an equal and a friend, always calling Pip “Pip, old chap” (11) affectionately. One night, when Pip and Joe are alone at the forge, Joe explains his various reasons for enduring Mrs. Joe's constant abuse, “I’m deed afeerd of going wrong in the way of not doing what’s right by a woman, and I’d fur rather of the two go wrong the t’other way, and be a little ill-conwenienced myself. I wish it was only me that got put out, Pip; I wish there warn’t no

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