Great Expectations: Themes

Great Expectations: Themes

Social Class and Social Mobility

  • “Great Expectations” strongly observes the British class system of the Victorian era, with Pip moving across social classes.
  • Extending from the working class in the marshes to the well-off middle class in London, the novel tackles thoughts on the true worth and usefulness of such a system.
  • Pip’s realisation towards the end of the novel shows the insignificance of wealth and social status against values such as loyalty, love, and inner character.

Crime, Punishment and Justice

  • The theme of crime and its punishment is closely linked with the legal system that dominates Dickens’ Victorian London.
  • Various characters in the novel exist in relation to crime, from convicts like Magwitch to law officers like Jaggers.
  • Justice, as seen traditionally, is distorted here, making readers question the parameters of sin and forgiveness.

Ambition and Self-Improvement

  • The central theme - Pip’s motivation to improve himself and attain any possible advancement, whether educational, moral, or social - dominates the novel.
  • “Great Expectations” refers to Pip’s ambitious expectations about his own life.
  • The journey with Pip as he learns the hard way about true values portrays the downside of ambition when it includes social climbing.

Love, Rejection and Redemption

  • Romantic and familial love is portrayed through Pip and Estella, as well as Pip and Joe.
  • Despite enduring rejection and heartbreak, the characters ultimately find a form of redemption or learned understanding, echoing the theme of self-improvement.
  • Love vs social class is a crucial conflict in the novel, particularly through Pip’s love for Estella.

Guilt and Innocence

  • Feelings of guilt, remorse, and disgrace are recurring emotional motifs in the character of Pip.
  • From the first scene, where Pip is looking at his parents’ graves filled with guilt, the theme underscores Pip’s growth.
  • Demonstrating that innocence doesn’t last forever, Pip’s guilt and his consequential actions shape his journey to adulthood.

By understanding these key themes and their relationship with the plot and characters, a comprehensive understanding of “Great Expectations” can be achieved. Remember, identifying how these themes are reflected in the actions, behaviour and development of characters is key when interpreting the novel.