We all make mistakes, but we are sometimes defined by the actions we take to atone for damage we cause. In Charles Dickens's novel Great Expectations, a convict helps repay a favor done for him by providing Pip with the opportunity to become a gentleman. Pip grew up in a working-class family and the book follows him through his rises and falls within the social ladder. Many people made mistakes during the book and they did much of what they could to try to redeem themselves.

Pip was given the opportunity to become a gentleman and he became unusually mean to Joe as if Pip were embarrassed to see him. He wanted to redeem himself for his evil-doings. For example, when Pip was ill in the hospital, Joe paid off all of Pip's debts and was always by his side. Because of this Pip said, "don't be so...