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

Importance of Social Class in Charles Dickenss coarse Expectations Social class played a major role in the society depicted in Charles Dickenss Great Expectations. Social class find the manner in which a person was treated and their access to education. Yet, complaisant class did not define the character of the individual. Many characters were treated other than because of their complaisant class in Great Expectations. Seeing the contrast mingled with how the poor and the rich were treated go forth give a clearer arrest of how much social class mattered. In chapter 27 when Joe comes to see smudge, 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 Pip treat Joe differently, Joe also treats Pip dif ferently because of their difference in social class. He begins to call Pip sir which bothered him because sir was the title given to state of higher class. Pip felt that they were still good friends and that they should treat to each one other as equals. Joe soon leaves and explains his early parting, Pip, dear old chap, action 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 mustiness 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 criminal offence 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 side, two persons as your eyes can separate wide one, the younger, strong brought up... one the elder, ill brought up... which is the worst one? (p. 325). The decision of the trial was solo based upon social class appearance.