Great Expectations

Great Expectations Essay

Are Great Expectations and ambitions always destined for everyone? In Great Expectations, the central recurring theme is that affection, loyalty, and inner worth is more important than a progressive increase in wealth and social status. Dickens makes this theme evident through the interactions of the characters, and by discovering the idea of wealth and self-improvement (specifically in social classes). The thesis can be discovered in situations such as Pip's awareness of his harsh treatment toward his loved ones, the loyalty that Joe and Biddy continued to have toward Pip, and the emptiness in the life of Estella Therefore, by investigating specific characters and their occurrences with each other it can become quite evident that the theme of loyalty; happiness; and love over wealth is clearly displayed through the novel.

At a certain point in the novel Pip came to understand that affection and loyalty is more important than wealth and social status. For example, When Pip came to know that he had inherited a big fortune and that it was destined for him to become an honorable gentleman; he quickly packed for London and left the Forge without saying a proper good-bye. Although, in London when Pip got a very high fever and became ill it was Joe who came back and nursed Pip back to health and even paid off all of his remaining debts. This made Pip realize that even though he was tight and unkind to Joe, Joe still came back and took care of Pip while the rest of his money-hungry "friends" forgot about him. In addition, when Magwitch arrived at London he tells Pip that he is His benefactor. Full of affection and love towards Pip, Magwitch continues to tell Pip how he was the only thing in his life worth living for. Upon hearing this, Pip snootily thinks that Magwitch is just horrible and he gets repulsed just by looking at him. Pip's snoot-like attitude keeps him from treating Magwitch with the level of admiration and respect that he should have received. Pip's emotions toward Magwitch stay the same up until the old convict's death. That is when Pip finally realizes how sincere the man actually was, but by this time it was already too late to appreciate him. Lastly, Even though Pip was rich in London, he was not happy due to the lack of affection he had in London relative to the Forge. In London, Pip had no true loving family members such as Joe, and Biddy, who would do anything for his welfare. Contrary Pip's "friends" in London were not dependable or caring. Upon realizing this Pip noticed that the affection and love he received back home led him to live a more happy life in the Forge rather than in London. In conclusion, Pip's experiences thorough the novel led him to realize the importance of affection and loyalty over wealth.

Joe and Biddy's ever-lasting affection and loyalty toward Pip truly proved to Pip that loyalty is much more important than wealth and the temporary happiness brought by it. To explain, When Pip got a very high fever and became ill it was Joe who came back and nursed Pip back to health and even paid off all of his remaining debts. This shows that that affection is more important than health because in his true time of need Pip's true loving family members came to help him other than his money-hungry "friends". More importantly,