Great Expectations Loyalty Theme

Great Expectations Essay

Are Great Expectations and ambitions always destined for everyone? In Great Expectations, the central recurring theme is that affection, loyalty, and inner worth is more important than a progressive increase in wealth and social status. Dickens makes this theme evident through the interactions of the characters, and by discovering the idea of wealth and self-improvement (specifically in social classes). The thesis can be discovered in situations such as Pip's awareness of his harsh treatment toward his loved ones, the loyalty that Joe and Biddy continued to have toward Pip, and the emptiness in the life of Estella Therefore, by investigating specific characters and their occurrences with each other it can become
quite evident that the theme of loyalty; happiness; and love over wealth is clearly displayed through the novel. At a certain point in the novel Pip came to understand that affection and loyalty is more important than wealth and social status. For example, When Pip came to know that he had inherited a big fortune and that it was destined for him to become an honorable gentleman; he quickly packed for London and left the Forge without saying a proper good-bye. Although, in London when Pip got a very high fever and became ill it was Joe who came back and nursed Pip back to health and even paid off all of his remaining debts. This made Pip realize that even though he was tight and unkind to Joe, Joe still came back and took care of Pip while the rest of his money-hungry "friends" forgot about him. In addition, when Magwitch arrived at London he tells Pip that he is His benefactor. Full of affection and love towards Pip, Magwitch continues to tell Pip how he was the only thing in his life worth living for. Upon hearing this, Pip snootily thinks that Magwitch is just horrible and he gets repulsed just by looking at him. Pip's snoot-like attitude keeps him from treating Magwitch with the level of admiration and respect that he should have received. Pip's emotions toward Magwitch stay the same up until the old convict's death. That is when Pip finally realizes how sincere the man actually was, but by this time it was already too late to appreciate him. Lastly, Even though Pip was rich in London, he was not happy due to the lack of affection he had in London relative to the Forge. In London, Pip had no true loving family members such as Joe, and Biddy, who would do anything for his welfare. Contrary Pip's "friends" in London were not dependable or caring. Upon realizing this Pip noticed that the affection and love he received back home led him to live a more happy life in the Forge rather than in London. In conclusion, Pip's experiences thorough the novel led him to realize the importance of affection and loyalty over wealth. Joe and Biddy's ever-lasting affection and loyalty toward Pip truly proved to Pip that loyalty is much more important than wealth and the temporary happiness brought by it.
To explain, When Pip got a very high fever and became ill it was Joe who came back and nursed Pip back to health and even paid off all of his remaining debts. This shows that that affection is more important than health because in his true time of need Pip's true loving family members came to help him other than his money-hungry "friends". More importantly, after all the rough times Pip put Joe and Biddy through they still went and named their son Pip in order to honor the young gentleman. This goes to show that no matter what in sickness and in health, or for richer, for poorer, your family will always remain loving and loyal to you. Lastly, Even as a child, Biddy and Joe tried to help Pip even when it was to no benefit to them. For example, Biddy decided to help Pip with his grammar and reading, when the purpose of it was to help Pip obtain the attention of Estella. Furthermore, when Pip was a child there were many instances in where Joe would try to protect Pip from the "Rampage" of Mrs. Joe, only to get harassed himself. This proved to Pip that his loved ones showed affection to him before and even after he became rich. In the end the loyalty of Joe and Biddy toward Pip could not be compared to any others loyalty toward
him. Even though Estella had wealth and a high social status she could never be happy due to the void of affection in her life.
For example, when Pip took Estella to Havisham's house, Estella displays her true feelings about her life and Miss Havisham. Estella blames Miss Havisham for her misery . This shows that even though Estella had wealth as a child, money can not buy everything and in Estella's case money could not make up for the void of affection in her life. More importantly, Estella ended up marrying Drummle not because she loved him, but married him because she was bored of her life. This shows that even though she was wealthy, the money she had could not buy her true affection she sought for. Lastly, at the end of the novel, Estella full of inherited wealth, explained to Pip how she was never happy with her life because of the fact that Miss Havisham raised her with a ‘Heart of stone". This showed that even with her wealth Estella still lead a relatively miserable
life. In conclusion, In Great Expectations one can observe the common theme that eternal happiness in no shape or form can be purchased. There are many examples listed throughout this paper and all of them share the same common moral. Who knows maybe you could be the next to come into a big inheritance, but don't forget that money cant buy everything!