Importance of Social Class in Charles Dickenss Great Expectations :: Free Great Expectations Essays

Importance of Social Class in Charles Dickenss Great Expectations Social class played a major role in the society pictured in Charles Dickenss Great Expectations. Social class determined the manner in which a person was treated and their access to education. Yet, amicable class did not place the character of the individual. Many characters were treated differently because of their amicable class in Great Expectations. Seeing the contrast between how the poor and the rich were treated give give a clearer understanding of how much companionable class mattered. In chapter 27 when Joe comes to see Pip, he treats Joe in a different manner than beforehand because Joe was now in a lower social class. His feelings about Joes arrival were Not with pleasure... I had the sharpest sensitiveness as to his being seen by Drummle. (p. 203). He was terror-struck that Drummle will look down on him because of Joes lower class. Not only does Pip treat Joe differently, Joe also tre ats Pip differently because of their difference in social class. He begins to call Pip sir which bformer(a)ed him because sir was the title given to people of higher class. Pip felt that they were still good friends and that they should treat each other as equals. Joe soon leaves and explains his early parting, Pip, dear old chap, life is made of ever so many partings welded together, as I may say, and one mans a blacksmith, and ones a whitesmith, and ones a goldsmith, and ones a coppersmith. Diwisions among such must come.... (p. 209). He creates this metaphor than he is a common blacksmith and Pip is a goldsmith. This difference in social class had brought upon their separation. Other characters that were also judged by their social class were Magwitch and Compeyson. They were both on trial for the same crime but Compeyson got off easier than Magwitch because of his higher social class. Magwitch describes Compeysons defense speech, ...here you has afore you, side by si de, two persons as your eyes can separate wide one, the younger, well brought up... one the elder, ill brought up... which is the worst one? (p. 325). The decision of the trial was solely based upon social class appearance.