In What Way Does Great Expectations Exemplify the Upward Mobility of Mid-Victorian Society?

 

Charles Dickens’ s Great Expectations at its core a critique of the socio-economic transitions taking place in England during the 19th century, marked by the Industrial Revolution, the growth of capitalism, and the shifting dynamics of class structures. By tracing the life of its protagonist, Pip, the novel offers insights into the complexities and consequences of social mobility in Victorian England.

The mid-Victorian period was characterized by a growing belief in the possibility of self-improvement and social advancement. The Industrial Revolution had transformed Britain into an economic powerhouse, creating opportunities for wealth accumulation, particularly in urban centers. This period also witnessed the rise of a new middle class that contrasted sharply with the rigid social hierarchies of earlier centuries. For the first time, individuals born into lower classes had the opportunity to rise in status through education, hard work, or the acquisition of wealth. This socio-economic backdrop is fundamental to understanding the themes of Great Expectations.

The novel revolves around the  Pip’s desire to rise above his modest origins as an orphaned boy raised by a blacksmith. His early interactions with Estella and Miss Havisham instill in him the belief that wealth and social class are keys to achieving personal happiness and self-worth.

Pip’s great expectations come in the form of an inheritance from a mysterious benefactor, which promises to transform him into a gentleman and allow him to enter the world of the aristocracy.

Pip’s early life in the Kent marshes reflects his status as part of the rural, working class. His brother-in-law, Joe Gargery, is a blacksmith, a trade representing honesty, humility, and a stable, yet modest life. However, Pip’s dissatisfaction with his circumstances grows when he first visits Satis House, the decaying mansion of Miss Havisham, and meets the beautiful but cold Estella. Estella’s disdain for Pip’s “commonness” makes him painfully aware of his lower social standing and fuels his desire to ascend into a higher class. "I am ashamed to say it, but it’s no use: I am ashamed of my home."

Here, Dickens illustrates how class consciousness shapes Pip’s identity. Estella’s cruel treatment leads Pip to reject the life of simplicity and moral integrity that Joe represents, in favor of a more glamorous and affluent life. This desire for upward mobility is central to Pip’s personal journey and reflects the Victorian ideal of social advancement as a means of self-improvement.

When Pip receives his unexpected fortune from Abel Magwitch, a convict, he believes it comes from Miss Havisham and that it is a reward for his love for Estella. The inheritance allows Pip to move to London and transform into a gentleman, adopting the manners and appearance of the upper class. His newfound wealth gives him access to a world he once desired, but it also alienates him from his roots.

Pip’s obsession with upward mobility blinds him to the true values of loyalty, humility, and love. Dickens critiques the Victorian emphasis on wealth and social status as markers of personal worth. Through Pip’s disillusionment, the novel suggests that social mobility often leads to spiritual and moral decay rather than genuine self-improvement.

While Pip’s rise from poverty to wealth demonstrates the potential for social mobility in mid-Victorian society, the novel also reveals the limitations of such mobility. Despite his gentlemanly status, Pip never fully integrates into the aristocratic world he aspires to join.

Ultimately, Great Expectations is a critique of the Victorian belief in the virtues of upward mobility. While the Industrial Revolution and the rise of capitalism created opportunities for social advancement, Dickens questions the moral and personal costs of such ambition. Through Pip’s journey, Dickens shows that upward mobility often comes with alienation, guilt, and the loss of genuine human connection.

By the end of the novel, Pip’s great expectations are revealed to be an illusion. His wealth vanishes, Estella marries another man, and he is left to reflect on the misguided values that drove his ambition. The conclusion of Great Expectations highlights Dickens’ belief that social mobility does not necessarily lead to personal happiness or fulfillment.

-"In looking at those stars, I thought how awful it would be for a man to turn his face up to them as he froze to death, and see no help or pity in all the glittering multitude."

This cosmic perspective in the novel underscores the futility of chasing exterior social  expectations and suggests that Dickens values spiritual and emotional integrity above the pursuit of wealth or status.