Pip is quite pleased with these circumstances because he feels that he will then be accepted by the upper class and, therefore, be able to win Estella over. However, these circumstances bring about a negative change when Pip starts to see himself above others. He becomes a person with characteristics he used to detest. He always hated Mr. Pumblechook's superficial ways, and now Pip has adopted them. An example of Pip being superficial is when Joe comes to visit and Pip dreads his arrival only because he is embarrassed by him. "Let me confess exactly, with what feelings I look forward to Joe's coming. Not with pleasure; though I was bound to him by many ties; no; with considerable disturbance, some mortification and a keen sense of incongruity." (Page 200) He doesn't want anyone to see Joe and his common ways, especially Drummle. Pip is ashamed of Joe and his past (Page 324). When Pip encounters his grand opportunities, he immediately starts acting better than others, even Biddy and Joe. He even goes as far as to say, "I should have been good enough for you, shouldn't I, Biddy?" .
Pip's bad attitude of being above everyone continues throughout all of section 2; his stage of self-gratification. This stage of self-gratification and self-interest eventually leaves Pip with no money and broken-hearted. Pip's guilt and shame that was mostly brought on by his visits to Miss Havisham's encouraged his next stage of self-gratification. Pip's insecurities, guilt, and shame about himself that was caused by Estella made him want to be more like her and the upper class. These insecurities led him to be superficial and self-absorbed. As Pip is living his new life and enjoying his new fortune, he becomes wrapped up in his own life and concern of what others think of him. He becomes superficial and phoney. He loses touch with what truly mattered to him in the beginning of the novel and what should matter to him; his loved ones, the ones who respect for the person he truly was raised to be.
