The novel Great Expectations Essay Example for Free

The novel Great Expectations Essay The novel Great Expectations was intended by Charles Dickens as a social commentary on the society of pre-Victorian era England. Through his use of intricate characterisation, narratorial perspectives, comprehensive descriptions and the ironic outcomes, Dickens ridicules and thus reflects many key values and attitudes of that society. He shows the importance of class and the prejudices associated with class, the values of society towards women and the attitudes of individuals, as well as the injustices and arbitrary nature of the justice system. Victorian England was a society that valued class distinctions, and this is clearly shown in Great Expectations by the variety of characters portrayed and the eventual outcomes of their actions. There were many prejudices associated with class. Upper-class people were treated with more courtesy and society had little respect for the lower classes, often treating them as criminals. This prejudice towards the lower classes is clearly evident in Great Expectations. Magwitch tells Pip about his trial with Compeyson. Magwitch had to sell all his clothes to pay for a lawyer and was still given a longer sentence because everyone saw what a gentleman he (Compeyson) looked, and what a wretch I (Magwitch) looked. While the rest of the novel is told through Pips narration, this section is told through the narration of Magwitch. This highlights the situation and arouses sympathy in the responder towards Magwitch. As well, Estellas initial treatment of Pip also shows the prejudices of class. Estella makes fun of Pips appearance; what coarse hands he has, what thick boots, simply because Pip comes from a lower working class background while she has been brought up as a lady. These instances reflect the attitudes of that society towards people of different class backgrounds. A persons class background dictated their life. Money and wealth was valued and dominated life. Yet Dickens portrays his characters to show the startling between the lives of different classes. His depiction of Joe as a man of the working class is in direct contrast with the gentleman characters such as Compeyson and Drummle. Joe is portrayed as a wholesome, hardworking man lacking in material wealth but in possession of a kind heart, Drummle is portrayed as gentleman who are cold, cruel and completely without morals who either beats or cringes. Dickens rewards his characters for their behaviour with what he believes they deserve. Joe was able to lead a comfortable and happy life with Biddy while Compeyson and Drummle met violent ends. This characterisation shows the startling differences in the moral fibre of the different classes, and discredits a popular attitude at the time that upper-class people were more gentile and moral.