How Does Dickens Present The Theme Of Social Class

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Social Class

In the novel , Dickens reveals a theme of social class and shows us that social class affects our actions , reputations and how we choose to live our lives overall. In the novel Pip states , "I was haunted by the fear that she would sooner or later find me out , with a black face , and hands , doing the coarsest part of my work and would exult over me and despise me"(page 83). In this quotation Pip is speaking of his hard labor and the shame it would bring him if the girl he loved found out. Because Pip is of a lower social class than his love, Estella , his work is viewed as dirty and peasant like to her higher class of people. This in turn causes Pip to act like someone he is not and to hide who he really is for the sake of pleasing someone else who would not accept him if they knew. Through Pips words and actions Dickens reveals the theme of social class and its control on other people and its affects on our own self images.
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In the novel Pip and Estella have a conversation in which is stated, "Since your change of fortune and prospects, you have changed your companions", said Estella. "Naturally", said I" (p 185). Pip drastically changes from where he was when he was first introduced. A large amount of this change is due to and is heavily influenced by his jump in social standing. He has been thrown into a new way of life, from which his mindset has been warped to something completely different than it was before. And, as Pip himself admits to, he has changed his companions with his change of fortune and standing as well as how he defines himself as a

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