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The portrayal of class and social mobility in Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations

Helleberg, Elina LU (2022) ENGK03 20221
English Studies
Abstract
Pip’s transformation to become a gentleman in manners and behaviour in Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations illustrates the difference and importance of class in the Victorian society. Through an unknown benefactor, Pip makes a journey from working-class blacksmith apprenticeship in the countryside to gentleman life in the upper-middle class London, with access to economic, cultural and social capital. By applying Marxist theory, the study has found that 1) Pip’s awareness and self-perception of his class background becomes increasingly apparent after meeting Miss Havisham and Estella; 2) that he is conflicted as regards with moral behaviour, social relationships and class belonging and 3) a story like Pip’s was rare in Victorian society.... (More)
Pip’s transformation to become a gentleman in manners and behaviour in Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations illustrates the difference and importance of class in the Victorian society. Through an unknown benefactor, Pip makes a journey from working-class blacksmith apprenticeship in the countryside to gentleman life in the upper-middle class London, with access to economic, cultural and social capital. By applying Marxist theory, the study has found that 1) Pip’s awareness and self-perception of his class background becomes increasingly apparent after meeting Miss Havisham and Estella; 2) that he is conflicted as regards with moral behaviour, social relationships and class belonging and 3) a story like Pip’s was rare in Victorian society. Previous research has found that the concept of the Bildungsroman is presented in Great Expectations through the male protagonist Pip and his transformation to the upper-middle class, which this thesis corroborates as well. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Helleberg, Elina LU
supervisor
organization
course
ENGK03 20221
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Dickens, Great Expectations, Victorian society, class, Pip
language
English
id
9098303
date added to LUP
2022-08-26 14:30:21
date last changed
2022-08-26 14:30:21
@misc{9098303,
  abstract     = {{Pip’s transformation to become a gentleman in manners and behaviour in Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations illustrates the difference and importance of class in the Victorian society. Through an unknown benefactor, Pip makes a journey from working-class blacksmith apprenticeship in the countryside to gentleman life in the upper-middle class London, with access to economic, cultural and social capital. By applying Marxist theory, the study has found that 1) Pip’s awareness and self-perception of his class background becomes increasingly apparent after meeting Miss Havisham and Estella; 2) that he is conflicted as regards with moral behaviour, social relationships and class belonging and 3) a story like Pip’s was rare in Victorian society. Previous research has found that the concept of the Bildungsroman is presented in Great Expectations through the male protagonist Pip and his transformation to the upper-middle class, which this thesis corroborates as well.}},
  author       = {{Helleberg, Elina}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{The portrayal of class and social mobility in Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}