How do you explain Pip's clear-eyed observations in spite of his dreams?

Pip was not born a gentleman. He had to live through the harsh realities of country life. He was not oblivious to people's character. Sure he harboured a dream that was very much illusion but somewhere, in his heart, I think Pip always knew this. Pip had to experience the emptiness of becoming a "gentleman" before he goes back to his roots.