Home > Sample essays > Exploring the Relevancy of Class Struggles in “Great Expectations”: s: Exploring How Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations” Relevates Issues of Class Struggles to Modern Day

Essay: Exploring the Relevancy of Class Struggles in “Great Expectations”: s: Exploring How Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations” Relevates Issues of Class Struggles to Modern Day

Essay details and download:

  • Subject area(s): Sample essays
  • Reading time: 5 minutes
  • Price: Free download
  • Published: 1 April 2019*
  • File format: Text
  • Words: 1,232 (approx)
  • Number of pages: 5 (approx)

Text preview of this essay:

This page of the essay has 1,232 words. Download the full version above.



Intro:

The natural notion of the Victorian England times leaned upon the fixation for young men to be apart of the  ‘gentleman’ faction of society. Those rich enough, or in the case of Pip, he was inveigled into the blunder that he soon discovered this major flaw in the Victorian English society. Pip who finds himself his true worth and meaning after all the impediments and societal beliefs that lead to his downward fall in reign. To soon discover that being a gentleman is not paramount for true love to be recognised. The novel by Charles Dickens was first published in his British weekly literary magazine in 1860-61 and issued in book form in 1861. The novel is often regarded as “one of its author’s greatest critical and popular success” (Tandon, 2012). The meticulous use of figurative language and themes throughout the novel has transcribed into a story that emits a substantial amount of relevancy through justice, social class, ambition and self improvement. This has tremendously assisted with it’s relevancy to the modern reader of our time as the connection established between Victorian England and now remains ever so robust. It is clear the themes of Great Expectations provide a representation of the early England times, but the transparency that still remains relevant for today’s readers is a prominent factor.

Body 1:

Great Expectations has been set near the end of the Industrial Revolution, a time of dramatic technological improvement in manufacturing and commerce. Ultimately creating new opportunities for people who were born into the poorer classes to gain wealth and become apart of the wealthier class. ‘…heard of Miss Havisham up town—as an immensely rich and grim lady…’ (Dickens, 80). This new form of social mobility marked a distinct gap from the hereditary aristocracy of the past times, enforcing class consistency that was based solely on family lines. The theme of social class and standards amongst society throughout the novel still poses significant messages and reflection of the modern reader. We as members of society can agree that not everyone is apart of the same social class, there are families that are wealthier than others, poorer than others, harder working than others and those who simply are born into aristocracy and no of anything else. Much like Estella. Great Expectations is set in the new times, the new era of social structure and class as Dickens explores it by tracing Pip’s journey throughout the class system. Not only Pip’s journey but the other characters as well. Ranging from the deplorable criminals such as Magwitch, to the destitute peasants of the marsh country Joe and Biddy. Reaching Pumblechook in middle class and finally the richest of all, Miss Havisham of course. It is evident that the novel holds significant value and important teachings of morals and self belief, as social class and it’s is ever-present distraction that it presents to society can be linked to the modern reader. ‘…to look at my coarse hands and my common boots…’ (Dickens, 92). The realisation of being a ‘common labouring boy’ sunk into Pip, so striving to become a gentleman was the next best thing. The arrogance and dominance that he drifts upon Joe and Biddy clearly depicts the ungrateful route that he has drifted onto. The novel can easily be linked with today’s younger generation, as young teens often find they want more, often comparing each other based on popularity and wealth, or number of followers on social media, the list never ends. The life of celebrity and fortune is one that is yet budge, painting an image into the minds of our vulnerable young generation, much like Estella drove into Pip. Estella’s driving influence onto Pip, see’s him surrounded by a faze that is controlling his every actions and interpretation of life. ‘…the plain honest working life to which I was born, had nothing in it to be ashamed of, but offered me sufficient means of self-respect and happiness’ (Dickens, 74).

Body 2:

The novel is not only relevant through social class but also through the theme of justice and criminality. I cannot reiterate enough that the novel’s relevancy to the modern reader continues to expand as we digress and continue analysing the plot. It reminds us of the consequences of overlooking familial relations, the ‘detriments of obsession to the point of distorting reality (i.e. Miss Havisham’s obsession with revenge, Pip’s obsession with Estella), and the invalidity of social expectations (Magwitch’s unexpected loyalty to Pip)’ (Judah, 2017). Dickens however, has not only used the themes to paint a picture, but have used retrospective first-person narration to offer the definite feelings of regret, torment, happiness, guilt and warmth that Pip has experienced to appraise the behaviours of Victorian society. ‘Drummle, for instance, is an upper-class lout, while Magwitch, a persecuted convict, has a deep inner worth’ (sparknotes). This insinuates that readers are offered a guide to pursuit the true satisfaction in life. ‘…I thought of the beautiful young Estella, proud and refined, coming towards me, and I thought with absolute abhorrence of the contrast between the jail and her’ (Dickens, 33). The theme of criminality often lurks throughout the plot, and is constantly emphasised as it’s implication in Victorian England times was substantial, the fact that Pip is in essence recognising the difference between his true self and Estella is remarkable, though he is instead comparing her to the jail. This does imply and tie the ideas that Estella was a controlling and untouchable/inaccessible person who caused Pip to become someone he is not. Thus Pip’s thoughts of Estella and Prison do truly coexist through her qualities. She is the gatekeeper in which has the keys to the prison. Pip does however, realises the damage he has caused to his relationship with Joe and Biddy, demeaning them simply because of their class, forgetting his grass roots.  This truely depicts an important text for the modern reader, it highlights human attitudes and beliefs as humans mature, and encouraging readers to stay true to themselves is the benefactor to this text.

Body 3:

Great Expectations casts the British legal system in a dubious light. The lack of proper justice as seen in the case of Orlick and Compeyson, who are let off more lightly than deserved is often taken into the hands of other characters seeking revenge to make up for the law’s blind spots. Although this alternate route is ineffective and faulty at the least. It is quite questionable whether Mr. Jaggers law practice serves the law to expectations. To top this Jaggers began his career and reputation through acquitting a murderer. This holds no significant value to the mind of a modern reader, but it does show us the natural human ability to simply make decisions based on our benefit rather then those surrounding us, which I believe is a key message. ‘Miss Havisham's perverse plot to torture Estella's suitors robs everyone of the chance at love, and, while Orlick may be content with clubbing Mrs. Joe for scolding him, it's clear to the reader that this revenge is deeply horrific, leaving Mrs. Joe handicapped for life’ (shmoop). Pip has understood this concept after understanding that, despite his respect and admiration for his first love, Estella, one’s status in society is not associated with one’s real character or moral being.

...(download the rest of the essay above)

About this essay:

If you use part of this page in your own work, you need to provide a citation, as follows:

Essay Sauce, Exploring the Relevancy of Class Struggles in “Great Expectations”: s: Exploring How Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations” Relevates Issues of Class Struggles to Modern Day. Available from:<https://www.essaysauce.com/sample-essays/2018-8-23-1535021628/> [Accessed 28-03-24].

These Sample essays have been submitted to us by students in order to help you with your studies.

* This essay may have been previously published on Essay.uk.com at an earlier date.