Haley Stephens and Peter Whitehurst present to you.

1980
A recurring theme in literature is the classic war between a passion and a
responsibility. For instance, a personal cause, a love, a desire for revenge, a
determination to redress a wrong, or some other emotion or drive may conflict
with moral duty. Choose a literary work in which a character confronts the
demands of a private passion that conflicts with his or her responsibilities. In a
well-written essay show clearly the nature of the conflict, its effects upon the
character, and its significance to the work.

The ever-present conflict between an emotionally driven passion and responsibility within Charles
Dickens Great Expectations is exemplified through a multitude of characters within the novel. Whether it be a
responsibility to protect, care for, or repay, the conflict between their duties and desires, combined with its effects
upon the characters, highlights how duality in life strains and exacerbates human interaction.

Responsibility:

Wemmick: His responsibility to maintain

Passion:

spontaneous lifestyle

professional and detached as a clerk to

Jaggers

Wemmick: His whimsical, carefree, and

Miss Havisham: Her desire to seek revenge

Miss Havisham: Her responsibility as a parent

upon all men and hurt or deceive them just as

to raise Estella

she was

Pip: His responsibility to Joe and Biddy (the

uncommon

maintenance of these relationships, such as

visiting them and using his wealth in a way that

Pip: His passionate yearning to be

Pip: His repulsion of Magwitch and desire to

benefits them, and upholding his promise to

push him as far away as possible (as in all the

come back)

way back to South Wales)

Magwitch: His desire to repay Pip for the time

Pip: His responsibility to protect Magwitch

Magwitch: His responsibility as an escaped

he gave him food in the marshes as a young

convict to own up his crimes and serve his time

child and make him into a gentlemen

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