“Enjoying himself with his elders and betters, and improving himself with their conversation, and rolling in the lap of luxury. Would he have been doing that? No, he wouldn’t. And what would have been your destination?” turning on me again. “You would have been disposed of for so many shillings according to the market price of the article, and Dunstable the butcher would have come up to you as you lay in your straw, and he would have whipped you under his left arm, and with his right he would have tucked up his frock to get a penknife from out of his waistcoat-pocket, and he would have shed your blood and had your life.”
– Charles Dickens
Great Expectations, Chapter 4. Christmas dinner conversation at the Gargerys is filled with examples of irony and satire, as illustrated by Mr. Pumblechook’s comments to Pip. As Pumblechook and the others tuck into their pork meal, Joe’s uncle tells the boy that he should be grateful he was not born a pig. He takes great pleasure in describing what the butcher would do if Pip were a pig and reminds him how lucky he is to be with them. The Christmas dinners of Pip’s childhood are far from joyous occasions, rather he is treated poorly by the condescending and insulting adults. Instead of showing Pip seasonal goodwill, Pumblechook chooses to intimidate and frighten him.