The themes are also another way for the reader to interact with Great Expectations. The many different themes create different feelings in the reader to experience whilst reading. The themes that Dickens used for symbolism and reference to his own life and thoughts are money, justice, and class snobbery. Dickens was raised in lower-class society, so he knows how the other classes treat others and how others treat them. He uses this many times in the book, leaving the reader feeling sorry for Pip, because his expectations are torn down as he is a regular town boy. Being poor as a child, Dickens decided to use money as a theme to show how powerful it can be and to show how it can change people. He makes reference to his life, allowing the reader to see how true and different life can be.
Dickens’ use of details, vivid characters, and theme symbolism gives the reader a life-like experience. The reader can truly react and interact with this story because of its appeal to all ages and classes.
It is centered on the ambitious goals of the young protagonist Pip and his struggle to find his place in Victorian society. His actions as well as his words act as evidence to this assessment; however a variety of experiences and situations lead Pip to eventual self-realisation and growth. Many factors suggest that Charles Dickens is trying to bring emphasis to a different concept of what being a hero is. In Victorian literature there was an increased focus on the man and his place in society. Through his novel Dickens redefines the classic notion of a hero and suggests that the true hero in society is the ordinary individual with human qualities.
Sympathy is primarily experienced at the beginning of the novel. In the first stage of Pips life, Pip is portrayed as a very naive individual, whose goals in life are humble and who is mistreated on many levels. The opening scene of the novel sets the stage for Pips childhood as he is introduced to the reader as an orphan, all alone in a misty graveyard, who is confronted by a frightful convict. Thus, in the first chapter affection and compassion towards Pip are first encouraged. First a further reason that provides a true understanding for why Pip is drawn out is the fact most of the undesirable elements in Pip’s early life are not self- inflicted. Miss Havisham reveals her cruel intentions and emphasizes Pip’s innocence when she says: “When she (Estella) first came to me, I meant to save her from misery like my own. At first I meant no more. But as she grew, and promised to be very beautiful, I gradually did worse, and with my praises, and with my jewels, and with my teachings, and with this figure of myself always before her, a warning to back and point my lesson, I stole her heart away and put ice in its place.” (Great Expectations pg.429) This quote indicates that Pip’s suffering is not self – imposed and that his motivations are innocent at the beginning of the novel. As many people find these characteristics within themselves, at some point in their lives, the reader is able to relate to Pip very well.
Pip’s quests for purpose in society as well as the life decisions Pip must make concerning his future are elements that almost everyone can relate to and are forced to think about at some point in their lives.
Charles Dickens stimulates an understanding for Pip and his situation, in the reader, not only for his innocence, or his faults; but also because of his growth and all he has learned through his experiences. The instance that shows Pip is trying to change his life is the selfless effort he makes to help Herbert, not only financially but also with moral support. Pip’s actions renew the initial impression of genuine kindness awarded to him by the reader, at the beginning of the novel. Another reason the audience feels sorry for Pip is that at the end of the novel he doesn’t receive that which he deserves; although he has a job, and maintains a close relationship with all of his friends; Pip is a lonely bachelor without a family of his own.
This statement indicates that Pip feels that there is something missing in his life. Without this completely different type of relationship an understanding and bond are established between the reader and Pip.
Throughout Great Expectations Charles Dickens is able to inspire a strong feeling of empathy towards Pip in his readers. He demonstrates that Pip is a hero because of his ordinary character traits. The reader is able to relate to Pip’s mistreatment and innocence in the beginning, his struggle to find his place in society in the middle, and the fact that he lacks complete happiness at the end.
