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| Pip comforting Miss Havisham while she begs for forgiveness |
Charles Dickens' Great Expectations follows a young Pip from boyhood to manhood. The most notable character arc for the protagonist is his realization that his relationships with those around him is more important that his relationship to society.
In the beginning of the novel, he leaves his friend and confidante, Joe, in search of self-improvement through climbing the social ladder. After he leaves and has other challenging experiences, he realizes what he has thrown away and we see him change his approach to the new friends he is making.
By the time it he is saying goodbye to his new friend Herbert, it is clear how much Pip values him. When Herbert apologizes for having to leave Pip at a sensitive time, Pip responds:
Herbert, I shall always need you, because I shall always love you; but my need is no greater now, than at any other time.We see another example of Pips acquired charity in his gracious treatment towards Miss Havisham, his former tormentor, at the end of the novel.
Former President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Thomas S. Monson said, "Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved". Similar sentiments are found in most morally reliable sources. I think that that is a theme that is still highly applicable today and remains an aspect of individuals' coming of age journey.
Many young adults I have talked with have expressed the concern that it is easy for this time in our lives to feel very selfish. Many of us are in college, working towards a degree which is time consuming and sometimes we are competing against our peers for top positions in classes.
The lessons learned from Great Expectations show us that as long as we don't burn bridges, we show genuine concern for others, and value them for who they are rather than their position, we will find meaning and lasting relationships.
I think this novel came at a very interesting time in history. It was published in pieces starting in 1861. The Industrial Revolution and other movements were making it so that individuals could change the social status from what they were born into, but social stigmas still made large gaps between the rich and poor.
The reader feels these very strongly and forgives Pip for striving to make himself better by becoming educated and more of a gentleman. It is still feels like a victory, however, when he chooses the people he loves over his status.
I think Dickens makes a strong point here that most likely hit home to many young British who were out to make something of themselves, potentially leaving behind loved ones.
Image Credit: Wikipedia Commons
When it comes down to it, we will find the most fulfillment in our lives when we center them on others. One of the Enlightenment themes is a search for order, and I think part of that is a search for order within ourselves and within our own lives. "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." Self reflection is critical to make sure we are doing the things in our lives, and making time for those things that will allow us to lose our lives for His sake.
ReplyDeleteLike Pip, I feel very strongly the desire to improve myself through education. This has left me with some of those difficult discussions on how to spend my time with those who are closest to me. I agree that those decisions are very difficult, and think that ultimately Pip comes to the correct conclusion that ultimately friends are more important than standing.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of caring about people and not your place in society plays an important role in finding life's meaning. Most of us will live long enough grow old enough to where the only thing we have is the people we love. Many podcasts that I listen to talk about how our generation will be one that focuses so much on career rather than family which will lead to people having a lot less children and less end of life support.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people I've talked to dislike this book...I loved it. I thought Pip's character arc was believable, and I liked how you noted that it was by realizing his relationship to people was more important than to society. As he overcame his selfishness, you saw the flip side in Miss Havisham who let bitterness consume her.
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