Literary Analysis Of Great Expectations

Throughout this paper, an analysis of the plot, characters, and themes will shed light on Pip’s personal improvements and setbacks. In this novel, Pip, who is the main character, is raised by his sister and brother-in-law and is considered to be low class and not well educated, but seems to be fine with it. That is until he meets Miss Havisham and her foster daughter Estella, who are in a much higher social class and very cruel and judgmental. Once Pip realizes he wants what Miss Havisham and Estella have, he begins to change who he is in hopes of receiving a higher social class standing and a fortune from Miss Havisham. In the midst of all his change, he does not realize he is pushing away his friends until he already has, and begins to feel guilty. Throughout this paper, an analysis of the plot, characters, and themes will shed light on Pip’s personal improvements and setbacks. Great Expectations is a novel that proves sometimes having ‘rags’ is more beneficial than having ‘riches’.

Dickens put a lot of thought into the plot and “...wants us to see the novel as a life's journey, laid out in three chronological episodes…” (Newlin). The plot of Great Expectations really takes off whenever Pip has his first encounter with Miss Havisham and Estella. Once he sees the life of wealthy, upper-class citizens, he wants nothing more but to become one himself. His need for this advancement in his life comes from his budding love for Estella, he talks about his love for her when he says “She’s more beautiful than anybody ever was, and I admire her dreadfully, and I want to be a gentleman on her account.” (Dickens). The conflict within himself arises whenever Pip realizes that he wants the riches and luxuries of life, but he also does not want to feel guilty for having to give up his friendships, especially with Joe and Biddy, to achieve this life. The rising action continues as Pip begins to notice that he is unhappy living this ‘simple’ life and realizes that he will not be happy again “unless I can lead a very different sort of life from the life I lead now.” (Dickens). Pip then receives news that an anonymous person has offered to support him financially as he moves to London, which he graciously accepts, even if it means leaving behind his ‘simple’ life and lower class companions.

“The deployment of his characters is another aspect of Dickens's structure.” (Newlin). The character development throughout the first nineteen chapters of Great Expectations is tremendously important. Pip, the lower-class orphan, who double-roles as the narrator and the protagonist, is important for the plot of the story. Though at times he can seem caring and empathetic, his immaturity and ignorance shine through towards the end of the chapters, when he beings to care more about wealth and reputation than loyalty and comradery. He often compared his life to Miss Havisham’s and Estella's life by saying things like “I thought how Joe and my sister were then sitting in a kitchen, and how Miss Havisham and Estella never sat in a kitchen, but were far above the level of such common doings.” and always came out wanting to be more like them, even though they could be cruel and heartless at times (Dickens). As Pip begins to view his life in a negative light, he also begins to view people in a negative light, but never Estella, who he was completely infatuated with.

“Great novels operate on many levels, and none does so more satisfactorily than Great Expectations.” (Newlin). The righteous lesson of this story is that social class and wealth is not everything. When Pip first met Miss Havisham and Estella, he became embarrassed about his social standing and did not want Estella to think any less of him than she already did. “...What I dreaded was, that in some unlucky hour, I, being at my grimiest and commonest, should lift up my eyes and see Estella looking in at one of the wooden windows of the forge. I was haunted by the fear that she would … exult over me and despise me.” (Dickens). All he could think about from that point on was how too get out of lower-class life, and into a life where he had money and a reputation. Pip started spending less time with Joe and Biddy, who were compassionate and loyal to him, and more time with Miss Havisham and Estella, hoping they would give him financial support, even though they could not care less about his feelings and Estella was told to break his heart time and time again by her foster mother (Dickens). All throughout this story, Charles Dickens connects with readers through pathos, by showing Biddy and Joe’s sadness and loneliness and Pip’s guilt, and reiterates the theme that social class and wealth are not everything.

In conclusion, Great Expectations tells an emotional story through the development of plot, characters, and themes, that cater to the reader's emotional needs. The characters in the novel that are loyal, compassionate, and empathetic help the readers stay emotionally attached to the story, while the characters that are rude and cold-hearted help drive home the main theme, that social class and wealth are not everything. Through the development of the plot, the reader’s are able to see true colors come to life, while also watching the development of theme and characters. Great Expectations is a novel that proves sometimes having ‘rags’ is more beneficial than having ‘riches’. Social class may be important to people now, but it will not matter once this is all said and done. What will matter is how people were impacted and affected. Be the Joe in this world, not the Pip.

Works Cited

• Dickens, Charles. Great Expectations. 1867.
• Newlin, George. Understanding Great Expectations: A Student Casebook to Issues, Sources, and Historical Documents. Greenwood, 2000. ABC-CLIO, publisher.abc-clio.com/9781573566759.