Web Of Guilt E.G. Pip example essay topic

The novel, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens explores the values of class, honesty / chivalry, love, justice, guilt & family and how this affects people's expectations upon themselves and others. Class Class distinction has both positive and negative impacts. Class has a negative impact on people and their actions when it is distinguished solely by appearance and wealth e.g. motif of boots are used to associate with common people. A certain class appearance of a place or person can cause a person to become uncomfortable as shown when Joe visits Ms Havisham feeling like a trespasser and attempts to sound sophisticated, but ends up causing confusion.

However Class can have positive impacts when it is distinguished by behaviour. Biddy and Joe sees a gentleman as being honest and chivalrous, therefore place expectations on themselves to be that way which leads to their happiness e.g. Joe is a true gentleman throughout his behaviour "No man who was not a true gentleman at heart, ever was, since the world began a true gentleman in manner". People who desire to become members of the upper class are ashamed of having any relation with the lower class and disassociate themselves from them e.g. Pip became ashamed of Joe because Estella might think he was common and doesn't want to walk with Joe to disassociate him; this leads to ingratitude and remorse Love Love is a strong emotional attachment which is based on appearance or friendship. Love is the one who loves and is not in the one who is loved e.g. Pip loves Estella but Estella doesn't love him. When love is only based on appearance the affection usually isn't returned and it leads to idolism and unhappiness e.g. Pip's love of Estella is based on appearance and sees Estella as an unobtainable fantasy of perfection that he idolizes and worships.

Pip twists values that he thinks is love, seems illogical, against peace, against hope, against happiness in comparison with Ms Havisham's feelings who are both miserable. However when love is based on friendship the affection is usually returned leading to acts to kindness and sympathy e.g. Pip loves Herbert's friendship and helps him financially giving him and Herbert happiness. Magwitch conveys the idea that money and wealth can gain the woman you love, but this is not true because Pip's wealth cannot buy Estella or her love. When we love somebody and the go away the desire to be with them increase e.g. Estella studying abroad increases Pip's desire for her.

Herbert and Clara are honest with each other and love each other. Pip isn't honest with himself, then how can he be honest with Estella. Honesty and Chivalry Honesty and chivalry are positive values because they allow people to be happy and make others happy. It is seen that in order to help someone feel happy and successful you must be charitable without expecting any praise e.g. Pip got Herbert a job by secretly paying Clar riker to make him his partner; this allowed Herbert to feel proud and happy. Honesty is the foundation for trust and friendship e.g. Pip and Herbert are both honest to each other allowing them to trust and become friends. When we are honest with ourselves we can be truly happy e.g. Joe is honest with himself, he is proud to be common blacksmith and doesn't pretend to be somebody he isn't like Pip who tries to become an upper class man to meet Estella's expectations.

Chivalry allows a person to come to another's aid inspite of how the rescuer may feel for the person e.g. when Pip smothers the fire to save Ms. Havisham even though she was cruel to him and he values life. Chivalrous acts can inspire others to become better people e.g. Pip is able to see the true, noble, long-suffering and loving Joe after shown Pumblechook's qualities that are deceitful, mean and boastful. Pip isn't because he is clouded in his ego Estella beautiful on the outside, but bitter on the inside. She leads on admirers using Pip as game to break their hearts. Letter to Pip appears dirty and to be a trap but it lures Pip.

Justice Justice is only fair when the crime is trialed before a court using evidence; this idea is expressed by Mr. Jaggers, who relies on having evidence before coming to any judgment. When people seek justice for unjust acts committed against them, they are can be unjust in their revenge e.g. Orlick tries to justify attacking Mrs Joe by blaming Pip and trying to murder Pip for coming between him and Biddy and saying bad things about him. It could be considered that justice was served when Mrs. Joe was hit on the head by Orlick for his and Pip's ill treatment Pip was insulted, physically abused and disgraced by his sister and he knew he shouldn't be treated such an unjust way. Joe displayed acts of justice by being patient and forgiving e.g. Joe gave Orlick three chances to back down from insulting his wife before he inflicted punishment upon him. He later forgave him. Ms. Havisham's creation, Estella embodies her lust for revenge but back fires because she was made hard and cruel causing two people could " ve been together, but by playing games caused their pain and unhappiness that she suffers, coming to a self realization no satisfaction in revenge just causes heart ache and pain.

Guilt Guilt is a positive feelings to have because it helps us identify the crimes and immoral acts that were performed in the past and causes us to desire forgiveness e.g. when Ms. Havisham comes to a self realisation of the cruelty that she committed Guilt will lead to unhappiness if left unresolved. Pip is entangled in a web of guilt e.g. Pip is unhappy because he stole and has not confessed and sought forgiveness. Pip afraid of telling the truth because may change Joe's view of him Feeling remorseful and seeking forgiveness may not lead to happiness e.g. Ms. Havisham feels remorseful because her revengeful ways have hurt so many people. She tries to help Pip in order to receive forgiveness. The burden of guilt may feel lighter, but happiness does not come easily. Family Joe values family more than money this is why he doesn't agree to take any money from Jaggers in compensation for Pip's leave because he doesn't want to be selling his son for money.

He is proud of him. Pip on the other hand values money more than family, but later realises the importance of families Family members should forgive each other e.g. Joe forgives Pip even though he is ungrateful and by doing this Joe lives a happy life. A loving family environment is necessary for a person to feel at home e.g. Wemmick's and his father's kindness and love towards each other helps towards creating a homely environment at the Castle. People should have gratitude towards their parent and all that they have done for them e.g. when Pip realises the importance of family and shows gratitude to them he no longer feels remorse and gets on with his life. The interaction of the main characters of the novel have impacted on the lives of those around them and each other.

Class values influenced Pip into being ashamed of his family, but the honest and chivalrous actions of Joe, Magwitch and Herbert reignited Pip's love of family and friends.