Review of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

**Review of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens**

Great Expectations (1861) is one of Charles Dickens' most renowned and influential novels, a coming-of-age story that addresses themes of social class, ambition, morality, and personal growth. The novel follows the life of Philip Pirrip, known as Pip, from his humble beginnings as an orphan raised by his sister and her husband in rural England, to his unexpected rise to wealth and status, and ultimately to his deeper understanding of what it means to be truly great. Through Pip’s journey, Dickens explores how social expectations, personal desires, and moral integrity shape one’s destiny. Combining elements of a bildungsroman and a social critique, Great Expectations remains one of Dickens' most powerful reflections on human nature, personal identity, and the consequences of wealth and ambition.

Themes in Great Expectations

Social Class and Ambition: One of the central themes of Great Expectations is the relationship between social class and individual ambition. Early in the novel, Pip is an orphan living with his sister and her husband, and he dreams of improving his station in life. This desire for upward mobility is awakened when he is introduced to Miss Havisham, a wealthy, eccentric woman who lives in a decaying mansion, and Estella, her beautiful but emotionally distant ward. Pip becomes infatuated with Estella and believes that greatness—in the form of wealth and social status—is necessary for winning her love. When he learns that he has come into a fortune from a mysterious benefactor, Pip's life dramatically changes, and he moves to London, where he begins to pursue what he believes is his destiny.

However, his newfound wealth and status come at a cost—he becomes increasingly disillusioned with his personal values and the nature of true greatness. Through Pip’s story, Dickens critiques the notion that social mobility and material success are the markers of true fulfillment, illustrating how ambition can lead to moral compromise and alienation from one’s roots.
Identity and Self-Realization: The novel explores identity and the idea that true greatness lies not in social standing or wealth, but in moral integrity and self-understanding. Pip’s journey is one of self-discovery, as he initially mistakes wealth for self-worth. As he matures and faces the consequences of his choices, he learns that personal value cannot be determined by external factors, such as class, wealth, or appearance. Pip’s relationship with Joe, his sister’s husband and the blacksmith, is crucial to this development. Joe represents moral goodness and simplicity, contrasting with Pip’s growing discontent with his humble origins. By the end of the novel, Pip comes to understand that his true identity is rooted not in what he owns or what others think of him, but in the values he chooses to live by—loyalty, honesty, and humility.
Love and Relationships: The theme of love is central to the novel, particularly in the form of Pip’s unrequited love for Estella. Estella, raised by the bitter and vengeful Miss Havisham, is cold and indifferent toward Pip, and her inability to return his love creates a sense of yearning and disillusionment in him. Estella’s treatment of Pip is a key part of his development, as his obsession with her leads him to abandon his humble roots and attempt to be someone he is not. Miss Havisham’s influence on Estella and Pip reflects the toxic nature of revenge and the destructive power of unfulfilled desires. Miss Havisham, having been jilted at the altar years before, uses Estella as a weapon to break men’s hearts in the same way she was hurt, yet Estella herself is a victim of this manipulation.

The relationships between Pip and Joe, Pip and Herbert, and Pip and Magwitch also reflect the importance of loyalty and unconditional love. Joe represents a steady, patient, and unconditional love, which Pip only learns to appreciate fully after years of pursuing more superficial forms of affection.
Crime and Redemption: Great Expectations also examines themes of crime, punishment, and redemption. The character of Magwitch, a convict whom Pip helps as a child, becomes a central figure in this regard. Magwitch is revealed to be Pip’s benefactor, and his transformation from a hardened criminal to a man seeking to repay his debt of gratitude to Pip is one of the novel’s most significant moral lessons. Similarly, the character of Jaggers, the lawyer, represents the complex interplay between law, justice, and morality. Jaggers, though a man of the law, is depicted as morally ambiguous, suggesting that legal justice does not always align with true justice.

As Pip learns more about Magwitch’s past and his role in Pip’s wealth, he faces the moral dilemma of accepting or rejecting the tainted nature of his fortune. The theme of redemption is exemplified in Magwitch’s ultimate desire to make amends for his past mistakes, and in Pip’s own realization that he must redeem himself by confronting the truth of his actions.
Guilt and Consequences: Pip’s guilt over his mistreatment of Joe and Biddy, as well as his initial rejection of the love they offered, underscores the novel’s exploration of the emotional consequences of selfishness and pride. His rejection of his roots and his pursuit of status lead him to misjudge others, particularly Joe, who represents steadfastness and moral clarity. Pip’s eventual acknowledgment of his wrongs is part of his growth toward a more compassionate and responsible version of himself. The theme of guilt and consequence is also present in the lives of characters such as Estella, who suffers from her inability to love, and Miss Havisham, who experiences regret for her actions in manipulating Estella’s emotions.

Character Roles in Great Expectations

Pip: Pip, the protagonist, is both the narrator and the central character of the novel. His journey from an innocent and poor boy to a wealthy and disillusioned gentleman is a classic example of a bildungsroman. As he struggles with his desire for social advancement and his own moral compass, Pip embodies the theme of self-discovery. Over the course of the novel, he evolves from a naïve youth into a man who comes to realize that true greatness lies not in status or wealth, but in personal integrity and the ability to love others unconditionally.
Joe Gargery: Joe Gargery, Pip’s brother-in-law, is the novel’s moral anchor. As a humble and hardworking blacksmith, Joe represents honesty, loyalty, and selflessness. He is a man of simple virtues, and though Pip initially takes him for granted, Joe remains steadfast in his love and loyalty toward Pip, regardless of Pip’s social status. Joe’s character is crucial to the development of Pip’s understanding of true value—he is the unquestioning embodiment of human goodness and decency. Joe’s humble existence contrasts sharply with the corrupting influence of wealth and ambition in the novel.
Estella Havisham: Estella Havisham, the beautiful and cold-hearted woman raised by the vengeful Miss Havisham, serves as the object of Pip’s affection and the symbol of his unrequited love. Estella’s inability to love Pip represents the damaging effects of Miss Havisham’s manipulative desire for revenge. Estella’s character is complex—she is shaped by her upbringing and becomes both a victim and a perpetrator of emotional cruelty. Though Estella’s beauty and emotional distance draw Pip in, it is only through her own suffering and the realization of her own inability to love that she grows toward self-awareness.
Miss Havisham: Miss Havisham is one of Dickens’ most memorable and tragic characters. She is a wealthy, eccentric woman who has remained in her wedding dress, surrounded by decaying flowers, ever since being jilted at the altar. Her obsession with the past and her manipulation of Estella as a tool for revenge against men reflects the psychological scars of unhealed wounds. Miss Havisham’s character represents the destructive nature of bitterness and regret, and her eventual remorse is a key moment in the novel’s exploration of forgiveness and redemption.
Magwitch: Magwitch is the convict who Pip helps as a young boy, and he ultimately becomes Pip’s secret benefactor. Magwitch’s role in the novel is both redemptive and tragic, as he seeks to repay Pip for his kindness, despite his own past as a criminal. His presence in the novel represents the theme of justice, as well as the idea that redemption is possible for even the most flawed individuals. Through Magwitch’s character, Dickens critiques the class system and shows how society’s treatment of people can have lasting, often devastating, effects on their lives.

Linguistic Tools in Great Expectations

Imagery and Symbolism: Dickens uses rich imagery and symbolism to create a deeply atmospheric narrative. The novel’s imagery is heavily tied to themes of decay, corruption, and social class. For example, Miss Havisham’s mansion, frozen in time, symbolizes the stagnation caused by unresolved pain and unforgiven hurt. Similarly, the recurring motif of the mists in the marshes symbolizes the uncertainty and confusion that surround Pip’s journey. The contrast between the cold, damp environment of Satis House and the warmth of Joe’s forge highlights the moral dichotomy between decay and growth, wealth and goodness.
Characterization through Dialogue: Dickens’ use of dialogue is key to his character development. Through Pip’s voice, the narration conveys his internal struggles and growth, allowing readers to experience his emotional evolution. For example, Pip’s humble speech in the beginning contrasts sharply with his more refined and self-important manner when he becomes wealthy. Joe’s dialect is another example of how Dickens uses speech patterns to characterize individuals—Joe’s simple, honest language reinforces his status as an innocent and virtuous character.
Narrative Structure: Great Expectations uses a first-person narrative through Pip’s perspective, which creates a sense of intimacy and allows readers to experience his emotions, regrets, and realizations firsthand. The structure also uses flashbacks to reveal key moments of Pip’s past, gradually uncovering the details of his benefactor and the story’s larger mystery. The novel is divided into three sections, symbolizing Pip’s growth, his rise and fall, and his eventual redemption.
Humor and Satire: Despite the serious themes, Dickens infuses the novel with humor and satire, particularly in the characterization of Mr. Wopsle and Pip’s encounters with various eccentric figures in London. Dickens uses satirical humor to critique the aristocracy, the legal system, and the romantic ideals of the time. This lighthearted tone provides contrast to the darker elements of the novel, offering relief from the tragic drama while also deepening the social critique.

Conclusion

Great Expectations is a complex and deeply resonant novel that addresses fundamental themes of social class, identity, ambition, and redemption. Through the character of Pip, Dickens explores the tensions between material success and moral integrity, ultimately revealing that true greatness lies not in wealth or social status but in personal responsibility, compassion, and self-awareness. The novel’s vivid characters, rich symbolism, and memorable dialogue continue to captivate readers and provide valuable insights into the human condition. Dickens’ exploration of guilt, love, and redemption ensures that Great Expectations remains a timeless classic with lasting relevance.