As a child, Pip of Great Expectations
describes Uncle Pumblechook as "wretched company" as he gives Pip little to
eat the day that he is to go play at Miss Havisham's. As he drops Pip off, he scolds
him,
"Boy Let
our behavior her be a credit unto them which brought you up by
hand!"
But, in Chapter XIX in
which Pip prepares to go to London, having been informed by Mr. Jaggers that he has
"great expectations," Pumblechook congratulates Pip and in a fawning manner, repeatedly
asks to shake his hand, congratulating himself and flattering
Pip,
"to think
that I may have been the humble instrument....to think that I .....My dear young
friend,...if you will allow me to call you
so...."
He wishes to feel
that he has made a valuable contribution to Pip's good fortune from Miss Havisham, as he
believes.
Like Trabb, the tailor, who becomes very
interested in Pip after Pip shows him the money from his pocket, Pumblechook hopes that
in cajoling Pip, who is coming into a fortune, he, too, may partake of some of the
money, as well. In this chapter, Pip learns that people treat those who have wealth
differently.
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