A very significant event that occurred in the second stage of Pip's expectations was his arrival to London. He was disappointed. He thinks, "While I was scared by the immensity of London, I think I might have had some faint doubts whether it was not rather ugly, crooked, narrow, and dirty." (Dickens, Pg. 161) It is obvious that becoming "a gentleman" and living in London could be less than glamorous. This occurrence displays how Dickens feels about living in the upper class--it leads to a life without joy or gaiety.
In the first stage, Pip is innocent and eager. Becoming a gentleman is his dream, and he can imagine that such an opportunity would be nothing short of fantastic. I am sure that before his wildest dreams came true, he would have been amazed to be in London. Everything was exciting to him. Since a mysterious benefactor has become interested in him, however, he is less easily awed. Becoming a gentleman, in the book, is a common motif throughout. I suspect that Dickens is also saying something about life. He is using Pip and the characters around him as instruments to suggest that becoming "a gentleman" can have a negative effect on someone's life. Being a part of higher society can lead to a less fulfilling life, despite the benefits.
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