Theme of ambition in Great Expectations

“Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens explores the theme of ambition through

the protagonist, Pip, and other characters in the novel. Ambition is a very important
theme in Great Expectations and provides the chief motivation behind many of the
characters' actions. Here are some aspects of the theme of ambition in “Great
Expectations”:

1. Social Ambition:
Pip's desire to climb the social ladder and become a gentleman is a central theme
in the novel. His encounter with Miss Havisham and Estella at Satis House triggers
his ambition to rise above his humble origins. This ambition drives him to pursue
education, aspire to wealth, and distance himself from his roots.

2. Material Ambition:
Ambition is often linked to material success and wealth in the novel. The
mysterious benefactor who funds Pip's education and transformation into a
gentleman creates expectations and aspirations for a prosperous future. Pip's
expectations and the wealth he acquires become entwined with his sense of
self-worth.

3. Moral Consequences of Ambition:

As Pip pursues his ambitions, he often neglects the importance of moral values
and genuine human connections. His ambition blinds him to the true nature of
people around him, and he becomes judgmental and dismissive of those who cared
for him in his earlier life.

4. False Ambitions and Disillusionment:

The novel portrays the dangers of pursuing false or misguided ambitions. Pip's
assumptions about his benefactor, coupled with his unrealistic expectations, lead to
disappointment and a sense of betrayal. The pursuit of ambitions without a clear
understanding of their origins and consequences can result in disillusionment.
5. Redemption and True Ambition:
Through Pip's journey, Dickens also explores the idea of redemption and the
reevaluation of one's ambitions.
In the latter part of the novel, Pip undergoes a transformation, realizing the
importance of compassion, forgiveness, and genuine relationships over social and
material aspirations.

6. Ambition in Other Characters:

Other characters, such as Miss Havisham and Drummle, also embody various
forms of ambition. Miss Havisham's desire for revenge and Drummle's self-centered
pursuits illustrate the negative consequences of unchecked ambition.

Overall, the theme of ambition in “Great Expectations” serves as a critique of

societal values, the pursuit of material success, and the potential moral
compromises individuals may make in their quest for personal advancement.

Theme of ambition in Great Expectations:

Dickens conveys the theme of ambition throughout Great Expectations. Indeed, the
novel could be seen as an exploration of social class in Victorian England, from the
lower class to the upper class. Members of the lower and middle classes often have
the ambition to rise to a higher class. In contrast, members of the upper class want
to maintain their superiority and use it to control other people for their own ends.

Magwitch is the main representative of the lower class. He was born in poverty and,
because of these circumstances, fell into criminality. As Dickens shows, some
lower-class people become caught in a trap of poverty that makes it difficult for
them to improve their lives. In fact, when Magwitch is given half a chance to better
himself in Australia, he does so with great success. Magwitch realizes he will never
become a gentleman, but he has ambitions to make Pip a gentleman and thereby
attain upper-class status.

The main representative of the working class is Pip. Because of the influence of the
upper-class Miss Havisham, Pip comes to view being a blacksmith as inferior work
and has the ambition to become a gentleman. By doing this, he hopes to receive the
approval of Miss Havisham and Estella and thereby validate himself as a human
being. However, as Pip is educated as a gentleman, he becomes a dandy, who
focuses on having a refined appearance and doing leisure activities instead of
accomplishing something worthwhile.

Miss Havisham shows many traits of the upper class. She is a proud woman who
views herself as being superior to most people, and she cannot bear being
humiliated by her lover. As a result, she becomes a recluse and exerts her control
over the people in her sphere, especially Estella. Miss Havisham's control is backed
by her money. When Estella arrives in London, she makes a point to tell Pip that
Miss Havisham is paying for Estella to do exactly what the recluse wants. For Miss
Havisham, her ambition is to have Estella break the hearts of men.