Great Expectations Wealth Analysis

Love’s value over wealth in Great Expectations Pip being a member of the lower class wishes for nothing but success and fortune. Yet soon comes to realize how rich he truly is. The story begins when Pip is six years old, and lives in England with his sister Mrs. Joe Gargery and her husband Mr. Joe Gargery. His sister is cruel yet her husband is not, as he is often seen to sympathize for young Pip. Pip is then asked play with the stepdaughter of a rich lady by the name of Miss Havisham. This is when Pip is introduced to Estella, and changes the book entirely. Early on in the story Pip only has very minor feelings towards Estella, but later in the story it develops into clear love and desire. Even while he is young Pip is aware that …show more content…
Wealth directly influenced judgement and treatment a clear example of this is when Joe goes to see Pip who has moved up in terms of wealth and social class. Pip is embarrassed with Joe’s arrival and says, "Not with pleasure... I had the sharpest sensitiveness as to his being seen by Drummle." (Dickens, 203). This states how Pip fears that he will be looked down upon by Drummle due to Joe’s presence. Despite the fact that Joe has done so much for Pip in times in which he needed him. Another time which can be taken into consideration is the trial between Magwitch and Compeyson who are both convicted of the same crime. Yet Compeyson is shown sympathy due to his ranking in society.” afore you, side by side, two persons as your eyes can separate wide; one, the younger, well brought up... one; the elder, ill brought up... which is the worst one?" (Dickens, 325). This shows all judgements are based on social class, which proves all else is irrelevant. Even though Compeyson could be guilty an assumption is made right away on who is to blame. This stands to prove the importance of social class in the Victorian era, and how without wealth you are nobody to society but a common labour