Great Expectations
Uncle Pumblechook
The pompous corn-chandler
A boastful corn dealer who takes Pip to Miss Havisham and later claims credit for his success.
Pumblechook is Joe's uncle and Mrs. Joe's favorite company. He is pompous, fussy and fond of sherry, and he loves to give advice. He lectures Pip on gratitude and takes him to Satis House, telling him to mind his manners before quality.
He is a comic figure but a petty one, always ready to take a bow he has not earned. He changes his tone to Pip depending on Pip's fortunes. When Pip is poor, he is condescending; when Pip is rich, he shakes his hand repeatedly. He asks Pip to describe Miss Havisham, and he gets a wild tale.
“Stand up straight, Pip! Mind your manners before quality!”
In the story
Contains spoilers.
Pumblechook carries news of Miss Havisham's interest in Pip and takes him to the gate of Satis House, where Estella lets in Pip alone. He later quizzes Pip about Miss Havisham, and Pip answers with invented tales of black coaches and dogs eating veal cutlets.
After Pip becomes a gentleman, Pumblechook takes credit for his rise. Pip thinks he is a fraud, but the story leaves him as a figure of ridicule. He represents the kind of person who attaches himself to success.
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