Analysis: Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens

In the present age, the more successful children usually come from well-structured families that are able to provide their children with a lots of care and a happy and loving childhood. Children growing up in this environment will describe their youth as a time of wonder and laughter; they will enjoy the experiences as a child. However, in the Victorian age, this is a completely different story as most children had to go through many hardships and sufferings, in order to satisfy the needs of their family. Great Expectations is set in the Victorian age and Charles Dickens portrays the years of childhood as at time of confusion, darkness and terror. Nevertheless, this unfavorable childhood helps Pip mature as a person in many different ways. Pip's experiences with multiple people when he was a child provides important stepping stones for his journey in becoming a successful gentleman. Specifically, the people that aid Pip in his journey are: his family, namely Mrs. Joe and Mr. Pumblechook, Estella and himself. In the novel, the author develops the idea that these unfortunate experiences in young Pip's life are important because they shape and mold Pip into becoming a successful gentleman. Pip's miserable childhood is established within the first few chapters of the play. First, the reader is introduced to a young and innocent Pip standing next to his parent's tombstones and second, Pip is raised by a loud and abusive woman, who is actually his sister. Apart from his sister, Pip also has an uncle, Mr. Pumblechook, who is equally as unkind. These two characters make the young boy's life dreadful and yet, they play an important role in Pip's growth as a character. Mrs. Joe's hate towards Pip is expressed throughout stage one of the n... ... middle of paper ... ...derstanding and sensitivity of the world around him at a young age. Throughout Pip's childhood, his unpleasant experiences with different people all influence his growth and journey in becoming a gentleman. His sister made him sensitive through her beatings, Mr. Pumblechook forced him to see Miss Havisham, and Estella's words and insults cause Pip to reflect upon his life. These struggles as a child combined with his own strong sense of self-improvement are the root cause of his development into a better person. Though it was tough at first, Pip learned from the mistakes and sufferings in his childhood. By the end of the book, we see how Pip has matured from the child he was to a successful gentleman who lives up to his Great Expectations. Works Cited Dickens, Charles. Great Expectations. 1860. Clayton: Prestwich House Literary Touchstone Classics, 2005. Print