Cost Of Living In Soceity

The cost of Living for society

Jarell Gillens

Mr. Hammersmith

English and Literature

20 April 2007

The cost of Living for society

Thesis Statement -Pip goes through significant changes that form the position Charles Dickens was trying to express through this story. Possessions and wealth do not change who people are inside, but in ones quest to obtain it they can become dishonest, greedy and selfish

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I The Lives of the Characters in Great Expectations.

1A. The life of Pip, and his growing up

1B. His Search for great expectations, and social acceptance

1C.The things Pip does to obtain social acceptance.

2. The Life of Miss Havisham.

A. Miss Havisham miserable life

B. The life of Joe, and how it relates to Pip.

II Discuss the Plot of the Novel.

II. Irony.

IIa Pip is searching for what will bring him happiness.

IIb The many expectations that Pip lives for begins to break

Conclusion-In conclusion, Dickens gave the book this title in order to illustrate his feelings on the social situation of his time. In Dickens society it was ideal to look down on the common laborer as dirty and of less value than the more sophisticated man leading a wealthy, leisurely lifestyle. Instead, the gentleman is held up as ideal position to be in society. Every person expects something at one point in his or her life, be it good or bad. However these expectations can lead to disappointment when what a person expects does not materialize

Jarell Gillens

Mr. Hammersmith

English 102

20 April 2007

The Cost of Living for Society

“Money, money, money. Some say it's the root of all evil; others say it can never bring happiness and most say that you can't buy love” (Brett). Great Expectations is a story that the public can relate to because at some point, everyone goes through the struggles that Pip must battle. Pip goes through significant changes that form the position Charles Dickens was trying to express through this story. Possessions and wealth do not change who people are inside, but in ones quest for materialism they can become dishonest, greedy and selfish. Dickens uses the main character Pip and a few others to demonstrate what money and the desire for acceptance in society can do to an individual.

Firstly, Pip is a poor boy whose parents both passed away along with his siblings. He was taken in by his sister, who raises him in not the best of ways. She is rude and abusive to not only Pip but also her husband. However, one could say that Pip is fine with his social status in society at this point. Pip and his father Joe share a common interest as they both are "common" people in society. Joe is Pip's best friend, and he is his entire society. Joe is at the bottom of the social ladder, and, mainly, at the bottom of his household's ladder too, but Pip finds new respect for his position. Pip says "I had a new sensation of feeling conscious that I was looking up to Joe in my heart” (55). Dickens shows that Pip as a poor boy, on the same social ladder as Joe, has respect for him. Furthermore, he illustrates the fact that one does not need materialistic things in the world to fit in and be loved.

However, Pip’s honorable character undergoes many changes as he is given the chance to become what he believes is a gentleman. He picks up false values and optimism while he goes along a path that appears to be honorable but ends up ruining his character. Pip uses the money from his mysterious benefactor and without a doubt makes himself a “gentleman,” but is corrupted by this very process. Pip becomes a snob who is ashamed of those who had taken care of him as a child. This is evident when Pip comes home and ignores his long time friend and father Joe, and the person who gave him the bit of knowledge, Biddy.

Furthermore, Pip is introduced to a class of people considered to be greater then his own only because of their wealth. “The new rich paraded their wealth through the possessions they acquired. The middle class was also sensitive to fashion, displaying their good fortune by the clothes they wore” (The Victorians Change in 19th Century). Thus being sucked into the ways of materialistic living Pip goes off in sightless pursuit of happiness, and adopts the values of this better class. Throughout the course of the novel, Pip’s values are corrupted, and he becomes greedy, selfish and his intentions for being a gentleman are for the wrong reasons. His expectations of social acceptance lead him to feel ashamed of his past.

However, as one reads on Dickens attitude on social acceptance in society begins to unveil. Pip is invited to the Satis house owned by a wealthy lady by the name of Miss Havisham. Pip's search for acceptance and wealth starts there. From them, Pip learns to judge others, and himself, by the quantity and quality of their material possessions, rather than the quality of their heart. For example, this is apparent when Estella a young girl at the house, makes fun of Pip because of his clothing. She, is the first to put the idea of social class in Pip’s head by criticizing his thick boots, Estella calls him a "common laboring-boy" (73) and criticizes him for the terms by which he calls his cards, "'He calls the knaves, Jacks, this boy!' said Estella.”And what coarse hands he has. And what thick boots!” (73). Pip’s first taste