I was amazed when I discovered that Estella was the biological daughter of two criminals. In my mind I thought that was an interesting similarity Pip and she shared. Both characters were born into families that would never have high stature in the community and out of sheer luck the both became very prominent members of society.
Personally I think the two chacters were cursed by thier good fortune. Estella might have actually understood the concept of love if she hadn't been raised by Miss Havisham. Pip might have given up the notion that he had a chance with Estella if Magwitch hadn't given him his fortune. In both situations, the characters would have been better off and possibly happier as commoners. Through these two characters Dickens illustrates that a person's status does not bring a person happiness.
Does anyone else have any comments on this theme?
8 comments:
I agree. This relationship really captures the overall essence and meaning of the novel
The whole book seemed to be about unalike characters relating in ways they wouldn't immediately realize. Joe is fatherless, which is why he values Pip so much. He wants to father him himself. Same with Magwitch, which is why he feels so inclined to be there for Pip, financially and emotionally. Estella and Pip both suffered because of money, and in the end of the book, neither of them are as well off as they wanted to be. But Estella is softened because of her failed marriage, and Pip is content with going on as he would have before his fortune. Pip and Estella grow through the suffering that money caused them.
I feel that the book in large part concentrates on this very same theme throughout many of the characters, even beyond Estella and Pip... Take Magwitch as an example. Essentially born a criminal, and being in trouble with the law starting at the age of 5, he never knows any great wealth. Then he is shipped off to Australia where he becomes a very prominent and well known individual for the vast wealth that he accrues. Even at this point however, Magwitch is not satisfied with his life. At one point, he states to Pip that regardless of all the wealth that he accrued, it didn't mean anything to him because no one would care when he was gone, and he always had a his thoughts turning up to Britain where he knew Pip to be. Magwitch only ever finds true complacency and happiness after he comes to Britain to see how Pip has done through his sponsorship. He is hardly even shaken by the prospect of his death at this point, because he feels that he has done something honest and true and this brings him greater happiness than all of the wealth that he had acquired. While it is arguable that he achieved his goal through his wealth, I feel that the example stands because it is not the possession of that wealth which brings Magwitch happiness, but his ability to do something for somebody, and as he sees it, provide them a better life than they would have had.
It seemed to me, several times throughout the novel, that Pip had some contemplation concerning how his life would have been had he not come into his "great expectations". While I agree that the road he takes is indeed hazardous, I also believe that without these hardhips, there would be no character development, leaving Pip a husk with no corn in it. Although I suppose this point is irrelevant, considering that Dickens obviously knew this already. As a last mention, I would like to say that the extreme coincidences in this book astound, as they do in all other such literature.
If Magwitch hadn't have given Pip the fortune, Pip also wouldn’t have looked for happiness in all the wrong places. Pip had happiness and he had love until he got a taste of the better life. Suddenly, he was happy no more, he desired something else. Pip searched for happiness in wealth and items, a gentleman’s life, and even in a woman, but none offered him true happiness. Pip, once content with and happy with what he had, now had little happiness in his life. But I wouldn’t say it was Magwitch’s fault. Pip brought it on himself; Magwitch only gave Pip the possibility. It was Pip who accepted the expectations, and as a result, changed.
Pip was never happy he always wanted something more in his life then the lot he was given. He never would have realized that it is the people in ones life that matter not social status if he had never gained status like he did. In a round a bout way it was his status gain that made Pip realize what he needed to be happy.
I agree with Connor. Through Pip's good fortune, he grew a lot as an individual as he learned what truly matters in life. As a young boy, he was obsessed with the idea of leaving his home and traveling to greater places. He was merely embarassed of where he came from. Although as he began his jounrney of "great expectations", he was shocked at how lost and unfortunate he was. Pip had no one to tunr to. No one who could relate to his struggles. He was not happy. This slump of disatisfaction lead him to fully grasp what brings him joy.
But, when you think about it, Pip was content with the life he had up until he caught a glimpse of the “good life” from Miss Havisham and Estella. He was perfectly fine with being a blacksmith until he was introduced to something grander. It was only then when he “wanted something more in his life then the lot he was given.” Taking that into account, I agree with part of your comment, but I would say that the status gain made Pip restore his understanding of what he needed to be happy, not realize what he needed.
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