Themes Dickens Explores in Great Expectations
Themes Dickens Explores in Great Expectations
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens follows a young boy named Pip, from rags to riches as he grows into a man. Pip is a young orphan who lives with his hot-headed sister and his compassionate brother-in-law Joe. It is set in the mid 1800’s. The book shows the striking difference between the upper and lower classes. Dickens tells of Pip’s humble beginnings, his shot at a fortune, and his dream that was lost to his debtors.
The book begins with Pip in a churchyard one evening looking at his parents’ tombstones. Suddenly an escaped convict jumps out behind some bushes, he tells Pip to bring him food and a file. Pip obeys and brings him more than the convict could ask for. Although Pip obeys the convict is soon captured and taken away. One day Uncle Pumblechook, a friend of the family, takes Pip to a wealthy bitter woman named Ms. Havisham. Although Ms. Havisham isn’t a sight for sour eyes, he meets her beautiful daughter Estella. Pip, however, knows he could never have Estella because she is very wealthy and he is only a blacksmiths son. Nevertheless Pip falls in love with her and dreams of being a wealthy gentleman. As Pip grows closer to Ms. Havisham, he wants more to be a gentleman. One day, after being disappointed in Pip, Ms. Havisham releases him to become Joe’s apprentice.
One day while Joe and Pip were on break in town, a lawyer named Jaggers appears with strange news that Pip has inherited a fortune from a secret benefactor. Pip must go to London as soon as possible to begin his education as a gentleman. After a week of preparation Pip leaves for London. While there, he meets his roommate Herbert Pocket. Herbert’s father tutors Pip in gentleman-hood. Pip misses friends and family after Wimmick, Jaggers assistant, expresses much dissatisfaction with them. Pip still longs to be with Estella and loves her deeply. After turning twenty-one Pip receives income from his fortune. Pip secretly helps his dear friend Herbert and buys Herbert a way into a business. For now, however, Pip and Herbert live it up and spend their way into debt.
Many years go by, and Pip is in debt over his head. One night a familiar shadow person shows up. It is the convict, Magwitch. He tells Pip how he earned a fortune...