Universal Themes In Charles Dickens's 'Great Expectations'

Sometimes even the richest people in the world are not satisfied. On the other hand, though, some people who are penniless find themselves much more content with what they have. This indicates one should not base their contentment on the amount of money they have, but rather what makes them happy or their inner worth. Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations is set in Victorian England, where main character Pip receives money from a secret benefactor and travels from his home on the marshes to respectable society in London. His father figure Joe Gargery is a loyal and forgiving man, yet Pip loses connection with him when he goes to London. In the city, he meets his mentor, Matthew Pocket, who is to teach him the ways of a gentleman. Both of these

Charles Dickens introduces the characters of Joe and Mr. Pocket to convey a universal theme. They both have similar characteristics in that they both want the betterment of Pip. They both teach Pip important life lessons. Since their characteristics match, it leads them to both convey a universal theme that inner worth is a source of happiness. For them their family, career, and how they live life makes them happy. Their self-esteem is so high and that is proved because they can give Pip advice. A person with low self-worth cannot teach others. Their advice helps Pip and he has respect for them both. This also leads to more fulfillment for Joe to see Pip happy with him. Matthew Pocket’s fulfillment comes from just being able to teach Pip. Both character 's inner worth does not come from money and leads them to pass their happiness to others. The reason both of them do not care too much for money might be because they did not have an abundance of it but rather enough

The similar characters of Matthew Pocket and Joe Gargery convey the theme of Charles Dickens that self-respect can be an aspect of feeling gratification. Joe Gargery often finds his happiness in Pip. He is not ashamed of the way his life is but rather encourages Pip to be proud of himself too. Matthew Pocket shows his feeling of contentment by different means. He never acts like his relatives and does not visit Miss Havisham to try to flatter her. Instead, he leads his content life teaching students. This theme could be interpreted many ways. Maybe Dickens was trying to tell us to find happiness in little things. Having self-worth does not always mean being egoistic. If one wants to be satisfied one should not always go after money, but rather be grateful for what one has. Many people have forgotten this today and that is why it is