Edit: I see I disagree with the first person who answered. My thinking on this is that you are using a descriptor which actually appeared in the book. If Dickens refers to the character as the pale young gentleman, then I think you are justified and it is helpful to the reader of your essay to set it off in quotes so we know that it is the author’s way of identifying the character, not yours.

In my opinion, for good reading, quotes should only be used when someone is speaking.

Edit: I agree with the second answer to a degree. In the sentence he used, that’s fine, but just in a general description like: the “pale young gentleman” walked down the street…. no no no no no no.

“GREAT EXPECTATIONS” by Charles the great Dickens..

Call me immature…