Works of literature is the creative expression of the time’s systems. Charles Dickens used many of his writings to reflect his current time period. He used his novel “Great Expectations” to highlight the conflicts of London during the Victorian era. Dickens identified the issues in London’s justice system, treatment of orphans, and education system in “Great Expectations”. One of the conflicts present in both “Great Expectations” and Dickens’ time is the legal system and its values. The court was used as a business rather than to bring justice, the court was also generally rude, and the accused is often mistreated. The justice system in both the novel and in real life focused more on getting money rather than bringing justice. In Dickens’
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Orphans were neglected, often put up for adoption, and expected to work for themselves at a young age. Orphans are often looked down on. In the novel, Pip, an orphan, was verbally and physically abused by his sister, Mrs. Joe. In his childhood, he had to endure being constantly yelled at and beaten with a rod. Similarly, in the Victorian era, orphans were rejected and distrusted because they are assumed to grow up to be criminals. Orphans were also given no status. This shows how orphans were mistreated one way or another. Orphans are often put up for adoption. During Dickens’ time, orphans were often adopted by “their immediate relatives, neighbours or couples without children” (“Victorian Era Orphans and Orphanages”). In some cases, higher class families would also adopt orphans and it is expected that they would be mistreated by their family. In “Great Expectations”, Estella was an orphan who was adopted by Miss Havisham who belonged in the upper class. Though Estella was not beaten, she was used as a tool to enact Miss Havisham’s revenge after her heartbreak. Orphans had to work to provide for themselves. In the Victorian era, orphaned children were provided food, clothing, and shelter but when they reach the age of seventeen they are expected to work and earn money for themselves. In “Great Expectations”, Biddy was an orphan who was never adopted. She provided for herself by working for Mr. Wopsle’s great-aunt, in the Gargery home to take care of Mrs. Joe, and became a school mistress after Mrs. Joe’s death. There seems little doubt that the Victorian era and “Great Expectations” shared similar issues in how orphans were
Orphans were neglected, often put up for adoption, and expected to work for themselves at a young age. Orphans are often looked down on. In the novel, Pip, an orphan, was verbally and physically abused by his sister, Mrs. Joe. In his childhood, he had to endure being constantly yelled at and beaten with a rod. Similarly, in the Victorian era, orphans were rejected and distrusted because they are assumed to grow up to be criminals. Orphans were also given no status. This shows how orphans were mistreated one way or another. Orphans are often put up for adoption. During Dickens’ time, orphans were often adopted by “their immediate relatives, neighbours or couples without children” (“Victorian Era Orphans and Orphanages”). In some cases, higher class families would also adopt orphans and it is expected that they would be mistreated by their family. In “Great Expectations”, Estella was an orphan who was adopted by Miss Havisham who belonged in the upper class. Though Estella was not beaten, she was used as a tool to enact Miss Havisham’s revenge after her heartbreak. Orphans had to work to provide for themselves. In the Victorian era, orphaned children were provided food, clothing, and shelter but when they reach the age of seventeen they are expected to work and earn money for themselves. In “Great Expectations”, Biddy was an orphan who was never adopted. She provided for herself by working for Mr. Wopsle’s great-aunt, in the Gargery home to take care of Mrs. Joe, and became a school mistress after Mrs. Joe’s death. There seems little doubt that the Victorian era and “Great Expectations” shared similar issues in how orphans were