Essay About Social Justice And Great Expectations

Sympathy for Pip
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Great Expectations
Dickens gripping novel of 1861, Great Expectations, portrays his distinguishing
tendency to exaggerate both plot and characters. Chapter eight enhances his main
aim of initiating sympathy for Pip, and this, consequently, lasts for the
novels entirety. We are shown similarities between Dickens early childhood
memories and the protagonists inability to defend himself against the
injustices he discovers throughout the early years of life. Dickens successfully
creates a sympathetic mood through a range of techniques, including an exquisite
use of emotive dialogue, sophisticated imagery and symbolism. He explores and
brings originality to timeless themes such as fear, loneliness, luck, classism,
social justice, humiliation, and humor, which is cleverly incorporated into his
writing for the first time to bring an uplifting mood to an otherwise dark and
disturbing tone. His use of Miss Havisham and Estella as tools to evoke sympathy
and casting the central character as the narrative voice increases compassion
and creates a dramatic attitude. In this essay, I will also examine the opening
and ending of the chapter, which contribute to its overall effect.
Opening and Ending of the chapter
After the initial detailed account of Pumblechook and his home, we are
immediately endeared to Pip and express sympathy when he begins to depict the
low ceiling of his attic space. Our sympathy is again increased and contained
throughout the entire chapter – from the humorous torment of Pumblechooks sums
to meeting the somewhat frightening Miss Havisham and stepping inside her
lonely, dilapidated abode. Pips already dire situation is once again worsened
by Estella and Miss Havishams cruel and menacing comments about the situation
in which he finds himself. They arouse our consideration through the way in
which they interact, both with each other and with Pip, making him feel much
more ignorant than he had considered himself the previous night. His growing
obsession with Estella and her view upon him drags down his self-esteem to an
all time low and consequently builds our sympathy towards him. It is here that
his feeling of despair and worthlessness present him with the new target of
becoming a gentleman, so far from his status at that present time.
Social Class
Great Expectations frequently refers us to the present class system of a
post-Industrial Revolution Victorian England. The theme of social underlines the
books overall plot and moral theme that loyalty and conscience are worth more
than social advancement, wealth and class. During the 19th century, there were
vast differences in social class. Although it was incredibly easy to slip down
the social ladder, the poor often resorted to begging or stealing in order to
survive. Most children, like Pip, received little or no education, and therefore
the working classes were held in low regard to those like Estella, who reacted
in a similar way to readers of the books day. Pip later understands that,
despite the esteem to which he holds Estella, ones status in a pretentious and
money driven world are in no way connected to ones real character. Estella also
realizes this, when instead of marrying kindhearted commoner Pip, she chooses to
marry the course and cruel nobleman Drummle, who, despite his high class, is in
no way able to fulfill her happiness. Each aspect of Chapter eight reinforces
the socio economic significance, which Dickens explores. For example, when Pip
and Estella play the simple card game, Beggar my Neighbour, its name and
nature seemingly enhance the chief disparity of social class between the two,
therefore building sympathy for Pip. His first bitter taste of a higher
society leaves him embarrassed and ashamed when Estella declares him a common
labouring boy. She later insults him further, with harsh comments about his
course hands and thick boots. It is this chapter in which Pip realizes that
his attire and mannerisms will only ever be sub-standard if he continues his
life as a blacksmiths apprentice. He envies Estella for her social position and
when he becomes a gentleman, he begins to act in her same snobbish and cold
fashion to both Joe and Biddy. Estella is described as very proud by Pip, but
despite his great envy of her, she is infact even lower born than him as she is
discovered to be Magwitchs daughter later in the novel.
Genre
GE is part of the bildungsroman category of literature, for novels which show
the growth and