The Theme Of Sacrificess In Great Expectations By Charles Dickens

Most people wish to be happy at one point of their life. In Great Expectations, a novel by Charles Dickens, the idea that sacrifices are a part of the journey to contentment is shown repeatedly. The character Pip is the prime example as he makes many sacrifices to reach what he believes is happiness. In the novel, Charles Dickens expresses the idea that sacrifices are inevitable to be truly happy, even though sometimes the outcome might not be as expected.

Pip sacrifices a lot in order to reach his view of happiness, including his family. In Pip’s perspective, if he becomes a wealthy gentleman, then people will stop undermining him. Estella is one of the many people that look down upon him. Since Pip experienced this sort of behavior towards

When Pip found out that Compeyson was pursuing Magwitch, the first thing he thought of was Magwitch’s safety. Wemmick warned Pip about Compeyson when he said “I also heard that you at your chambers in Garden Court, Temple, had been watched, and might be watched again” and Pip immediately began to worry about Magwitch (Dickens 391). By devising a plan to get Magwitch out of the country safely, Pip is risking his fortune and the high social standing he has as a gentleman. Becoming a gentleman was what Pip thought would make him happy in the first place and ever since he became a gentleman, he had a higher social ranking and people looked up to him instead of belittling him, which was one of the reasons Pip wanted to become a gentleman in the first place. Pip understands that if Magwitch is caught, all of the things that made a gentleman would be gone, but due to the deep care that developed for the convict, Pip decides to take the risk. With sacrificing his reputation, Pip earns happiness and content from the caring love the convict has for him. When he is first introduced, Magwitch portrays a dark and intimidating character, but over time Magwitch proves that he really does care for Pip “Look'ee here, Pip. I'm your second father. You're my son—more to me nor any son” (Dickens 340). Magwitch first met Pip when he was little, during a time when most adults treated him poorly so the fact that Magwitch is thankful for

The first time Pip acknowledges the thought that him and Estella are not meant to be together is when he came to know that Magwitch is his benefactor, not Miss Havisham. Pip finds out knows that it was never intended for him to marry Estella and that it was just his interpretation of the situation. The final realization is when Estella announces that she will be marrying Drummle. This adds to Pip’s fading hope of a relationship with Estella as she tells him that she does not want to be with him. After Pip confesses his feeling to Estella one last time, he feels guilty because of the way he treated others. While Pip sacrifices his feelings for Estella he realizes just how badly he treated the ones he loved. Rawlins recognized Pip’s guilt when he states, “Pip’s sense of guilt is then awareness of his own sin, and moves him to reformations” (Rawlins 667). Pip starts to feel guilty for his treatment towards others, especially Joe. After this realization, Pip tries to make amends with loved ones: “Joe stayed with me, and I fancied I was little Pip again” (Dickens 497). The fact that being with Joe after they reconcile brings back old memories that makes Pip happier. Pip further emphasizes his happiness when he describes the place him and Joe go to think about memories: “and when I looked on the loveliness around me, and thought how it had grown and changed” (Dickens 498). At this time, Pip is happy and content with