Justify the Significance of the Title “Great Expectations”.

 Significance of the Title “Great Expectations”:

Charles Dickens's Great Expectations basically deals with the great expectations of money and gentility as defined by the Victorian society. Due to the Industrial revolution, English society changed radically. There were people who wanted to be gentleman by virtue of money only. However, Dickens shows that money alone cannot be the touchstone of gentility. Dickens shows how the expectations of the characters in the novel are crushed, as they are devoid of generosity and moral sense.

Pip is the central character of Great Expectations. His 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 encounter with the convict who inserts in him the fear of punishment. Again, at Satis House Estella scorns him as "a common labouring-boy". 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, gentlemen means rising above one's own humble root.

Pip's great expectations prove an irony for him. Instead of being a gentleman in the true sense of the term, he becomes a snob. He cuts off his connection with Mr. Joe, and Biddy and runs after Estella. However, although Pip is deluded by great expectations, he shows some proofs of inherent goodness. He helps Herbert to establish in life, rescues Miss Havisham from the fire and supports Magwitch till his death. Pip fails in his expectations, although there is an indication that he succeeds in life by his integrity and hard work.

Besides Pip, there are other characters who have their respective expectations. Miss Havisham's expectation for a happy marriage has failed, because it does not match Compeyson's expectation for wealth. Magwitch expects Pip to be a member of the upper class. Estella expects a happy conjugal life with Drummle. Joe and Mrs. Joe expect that Pip will be a gentleman; Herbert expects a handsome offer from Miss Havisham. Pumblechook expects favour from Pip. But all these expectations are thwarted.

Dickens seems to use the title Great Expectations in an ironic vein. He is of the opinion that money is the source of evil. So only hard work and moral sense can fulfill a man's expectations. Joe and Biddy lead a happy life by dint of their hard work. Pip becomes a partner of Herbert by his integrity and benevolence. Thus the title of the novel seems quite justified.

 

 

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

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

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