Gentleman

A man recognised as having respectable social standing, education and manners; also a man whose conduct is honourable and considerate. Dickens explores the tension between these meanings.

A man recognised as having a particular social standing, education and refined manners; the word can also describe someone whose conduct is honourable and considerate.

The story moves between the Kent marshes, where Pip grows up with the blacksmith Joe Gargery, and London, where he hopes to become a gentleman. This journey gives physical shape to his social ambition. Yet London brings anxiety and disappointment as well as opportunity: moving upwards in society does not necessarily mean becoming happier or better.

A man identified by social position, education and refined manners, or by honourable and considerate behaviour. Great Expectations explores the tension between these meanings.

Distinguish Herbert’s words from the principle he reports from his father in Chapter 22: being a true gentleman begins with the heart, not appearances.

Distinguish social status from moral character: explain which meaning of ‘gentleman’ matters in each quotation.

Part (b): qualify the ideal-gentleman interpretation by acknowledging Herbert’s initial aversion to Magwitch, then showing his practical loyalty.

A man recognised through social position, education or manners; the word can also mean a man whose conduct is honourable and considerate. Dickens explores the difference between these meanings.

A man recognised as socially respectable through birth, position, education or manners; the word can also mean a man whose behaviour shows kindness, honesty and honour.

A man recognised as having social standing and refinement; the word can also describe a man whose conduct is honourable and considerate. Dickens explores the tension between these meanings.

Context means the circumstances and attitudes that help us understand a text. Here, it helps explain why Pip wants to become a gentleman, why Magwitch’s return is dangerous, and why growing older does not necessarily mean becoming wiser. It is most useful when it changes how we understand a particular action, relationship or narrative choice.

A man of recognised social standing, associated with education and refined manners; the word can also mean a man whose conduct is honourable and considerate. Dickens explores the difference between these meanings.

A man regarded as socially respectable through birth, position, education or manners; the word can also describe someone whose conduct is honourable and considerate.

A man recognised as having high social standing through birth, wealth, occupation or education; the word can also describe someone whose conduct shows kindness, integrity and consideration.

Knowing how a gentleman was recognised helps explain Pip’s shame about Joe; knowing the punishment for a transported convict’s return helps explain Magwitch’s danger. Literary context matters too: the conventions of a novel about growing up help us recognise that Pip’s moral education is more important than his financial success.

A man recognised as having a particular social position, education or manners; the word can also imply fairness, kindness and honour. Dickens explores the tension between these meanings.

A nineteenth-century social designation associated with birth, wealth, education or occupation, but also a moral ideal of honourable and considerate conduct.

A person recognised as having high social standing, but also a person whose conduct shows honour, kindness and integrity. Dickens explores the tension between these meanings.

Definition

How each exam board covers it

AQA GCSE English Literature · 8702

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Edexcel GCSE English Literature · 1ET0

OCR GCSE English Literature · J352