Clearly a major theme of this novel is the desire for power and is demonstrated through Pip's constant struggle to get to the top. Through most of the novel Pip struggles to become in power and gain control through social status and even within his relationships. This constant need for power eventually transpires into Pip's needs to free himself from the power of society. He struggles to see past the materialistic standards of society. Dickens demonstrates how Pip struggles to break through the expectations of society, but these struggles still clearly exist today. In the modern day world individuals are constantly faced with the struggle to conform to society or break through and see past these social-economic needs.
How do you see people today struggling with these same needs as Pip?
3 comments:
Pip struggled to find happiness and he thought he would find it by rise up through the social structure. Almost everyone has a desire to gain social status, people are conditioned by the media to believe we need more social status. Media focuses on making people believe that they NEED more. People are always wanting more when they should be grateful for what they have.
Interesting topic samuela! well thought out i must say. almost like you double checked it three times on microsoft before posting... ;) But in response to the post, I think Pip's struggles are very relevant in today's society, especially the struggle to gain status. Just like in Pip's society, modern society is vastly skewed in who is deemed important. Moral excellence in society falls second to wealth. A person with money can be extremely corrupt, yet hold high positions, such as often seen in politics. This is why Pip, like many people today, desires wealth over morally acceptable traits such as compassion and generosity. It is money that will earn him status, not his character. I think this struggle can still be vividly seen today. You have businesses who are faced daily with the opportunity to make quick cash on immoral practices or politicians who willingly accept bribes, both of which earn the money needed to maintain their position in society but are morally wrong.
I find it rather intriguing that the same problems that so frustrated Dickens hundreds of years ago are still so prevalent. Society is maturing at a very rapid rate...
I agree with all of you :) Pip did face problems that are still very prevalent in society today mainly money but also fame/ popularity. This struggle can be seen from highschools all over the world to the Youtube sensations. These days it seems everyone is striving to be at the top of society and that means having everyone know you. Pip dealt with this as he tried to become an important business man in London. The more people that he knew and that knew him the better his business could do. I really do find it interesting and sad that we struggle today with the same problems that society was dealing with hundreds of years ago.
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