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Great Expectations Social Class Essay

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Recommended: Role of social class in the great expectations

Ardith Bhinu
Mr. Finken
Honors English 1
16 February 2018
The Truth of Social Class There are many myths told about social class. In Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens, there are many of these assumptions that are integrated. However, these rumors are disproved. The author shows that social status leads to man-made misconceptions, makes people unable to be emotionate, and deceives people. These aspects lead to a development of a central message throughout the story: social status does not inspire or create joy.
One of the ways that these misconceptions are proved incorrect are with the book’s own misconceptions. For example, when speaking about Miss Havisham’s wealth (in comparison with her step-brother), Herbert says the following: “... though not nearly as well off as Miss Havisham”(Dickens 178). This quote demonstrates that, although Miss Havisham has lots of money and is a member of a high social class, she still is not truly happy. However, the people believe that she is happy, and that being rich provides Miss Havisham with the joy …show more content…

This is shown by the character of Estella:“I must be taken as I have been made. The success is not mine, the failure is not mine, but the two together make me”(Dickens 307). In this response, Estella is stating that she is made of two parts. The first is the success in which Miss Havisham continues instructing Estella to be cold, calculating, and cruel: “Well? You can break his heart”(Dickens 58) . The failure that Estella refers to is when Miss Havisham has made her unable to be emotional. This, in addition to the fact that Estella is held in high status, as the adopted daughter of Miss Havisham. Since this is the case, Estella is held at the same social class as her adoptive mother, which, if the same logic used for Miss Havisham is present, implies that Estella’s wealth makes her

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