Dickens and His Society Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Dickens and His Society - Essay Example The realist tradition operated under the belief that the novel held a responsibility to examine the basic nature of society as it was as a means of exposing its strengths and weaknesses and to begin pointing out methods of reform (1996). Dickens does this in every book he wrote, often focusing on similar themes such as in his novels Great Expectations and David Copperfield. In both stories, Dickens illustrates human nature as he chronicles the development of a young boy into a gentleman. In each novel, the boy must survive a number of relationships with others, most of which seem designed expressly to ensure his failure, eventually finding his own way to success. Through his various plot developments and narrative elements, Dickens continues to invite his reader to make moral judgments about his characters even as this same audience is permitted sympathetic involvement in the characters’ experiences. Both stories begin with the main character at a very young age, although told from a much older perspective. Pip, in Great Expectations, is found living under the care and supervision of his bitter older sister and her down-to-earth husband Joe. The defining moment of his life takes place here as the small boy, seeking comfort from the graves of his dead parents and siblings, meets with an escaped convict and is both terrified enough and humane enough to assist the man with his escape. Shortly after this terrifying experience, Pip is employed by Miss Havisham to be playmate to her adopted daughter Estella and chooses to spend his money trying to get an education. He is suddenly lifted into the upper class through the intervention of a nameless benefactor and his studies take on a classic curriculum rather than a practical one. As he gains the knowledge suited for a gentleman, Pip’s attitude toward his sister and brother-in-law change drastically only to suffer a further reversal once he finally learns the nature of his fortune. David Copperfield also opens with a story from childhood, this time fondly recalling a pretty young mother and the family servant Peggoty (his father had died six months before he was born). However, this happiness comes to an end when his mother marries Mr. Murdstone who beats him and sends him away to a very strict boarding school. David stays at the school until his mother dies and he is returned home to go to work in one of his step-father's factories and boards with the Micawber family who are already struggling with debt. When the Micawbers leave London to escape further threat of debtor's prison, David leaves on foot to finally arrives at his great-Aunt Betsey’s house in Dover. She renames him Trotwood, Trot for short, and sends him to school at Canterbury, where he stays with Mr. Wickfield and his daughter Agnes but is plagued by the unpleasant Uriah Heep, who works to destroy everyone around him. Although fond of Agnes, he marries Dora and lives unhappily until Dora's death. David travels abroad to clear his head, finally realizing he's in love with Agnes to whom he returns and they have three children together. There are many shared social themes addressed within these two novels. Both boys are the victims of abusive homes and sometimes dire financial circumstances. One gets the sense that Pip's sister would have been nicer to him had she not had to struggle so hard to make sure the family had enough food to eat. It is unlikely Mr. Murdstone would have been nicer to his step-son had more money flowed into the house, but it seems clear David's mother would not have married him had she not been worried about the family's welfare enough to convince herself this was the best option. Money is also closely