Dickens's “Great Expectations” is a Study of Moral and Psychological Development. Discuss.

Charles Dickens's Great Expectations deals with the story of an orphan's pursuit of money and gentility. At the same time, it upholds the moral and psychological development of Pip. Victorian concept of gentility comprised high social status, wealth, education and manners. But Dickens defines it in terms of moral qualities. Great Expectations teaches us to distinguish between social prestige and moral worth. Pip rises socially but declines morally, as he passes no sympathy to Joe and Biddy. Finally, Pip becomes a gentleman in true moral sense.

“Great Expectations” is a Study of Moral and Psychological Development:

Pip's desire to be a gentleman stems from the society to which he is exposed. In his childhood, he experiences violence, brutality and bullying of his elders. His sense of helplessness is reinforced by his sudden meeting with the convict who inserts in him the fear of punishment. Again, at Satis House Estella scorns him as "a common labouring-boy" with "the coarse hands and thick boots". His encounter with Miss Havisham rouses his great expectations. All these factors react in him and he desires to lift himself above what is deemed as "common". Pip confesses to Biddy that he wants to be a gentleman for Estella's sake. To Pip, gentleman means rising above one's own humble root.

Pip receives the Victorian notion of money and gentility from Estella and Havisham. He uses this sudden supply of money to become a gentleman, as it is falsely defined in the Victorian society-a gentleman must cut off his relation to his rural root and lead a snob's life. Thus, he cuts off his connection with Mr. Joe, and Biddy. He runs after the mirage of Estella even after knowing that he will not be happy with her. He becomes so snobbish that he feels shame to see Joe's natural behaviour in his room in London. Thus Pip's wealth corrupts him.

Dickens seems to say that true gentility lies not in wealth but in the generosity of heart. In this sense, Joe Gargery possesses true gentility. He is eternally kind, frank and forgiving. Herbert Pocket has very little money, but he is a gentleman, as he has both education and morality. Herbert teaches Pip elegant table manners, but he reminds him that manners are meaningless unless they derive from sound moral principles. Miss Havisham's lover Compeyson possesses false gentility, as he is devoid of any moral concern.

Pip is deluded by great expectations, yet he shows some proofs of the generosity of his heart. He helps Herbert to establish in life, rescues Miss Havisham from the fire. Although he feels a sense of shame after knowing his real benefactor, he plans to help Magwitch escape from the country. He stands by him till his death. Finally, he reconciles with Joe and Biddy and sets out for East to build up his career by hard work. Thus he learns the value of genuine love and self-sacrifice

In this ways, in Great Expectations, Dickens upholds morality and manner, rather than wealth and rank as the true yardsticks of gentility. Pip has to learn these values to be termed as a gentleman in the true sense of the term.

 

 

 

You Can also Read:

 

• Dickens Portray the Obsession of the Victorian Society with Money in "Great Expectations".

• Picture of Victorian Society do You Get in “Great Expectations”.

• Moral Development of Pip in “Great Expectations”.

• Character of Miss Havisham in “Great Expectations”.

• Sensational and Grotesque Elements in “Great Expectations”.

• Dickens's Art of Characterisation in “Great Expectations”.

• Significance of the Title “Great Expectations”.

•            Dickens's Use of Humour in “Great Expectations”.