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 study role in the society depicted in Charles Dickenss Great Expectations. Social class determined the manner in which a person was treated and their price of admission to education. Yet, social class did not define the character of the individual. Many characters were treated differently because of their social class in Great Expectations. Seeing the contrast among how the poor and the rich were treated will give a clearer understanding of how much social class mattered. In chapter 27 when Joe comes to see rack up, he treats Joe in a different manner than before 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 afraid that Drummle will look down on him because of Joes lower class. Not only does slay treat Joe differently, Joe also treats Pip differently because of their difference in social class. He begins to call Pip sir which bothered him because sir was the title given to people of higher class. Pip felt that they were windlessness 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 whiz 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 plague 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.