The Treatment of the Theme of Childhood in Great Expectations

The Treatment of the Theme of Childhood in Great Expectations In this novel Dickens shows the treatment of childhood in many ways and through many characters. In the opening few chapters of the novel Dickens shows his opinions of childhood through Philip Pirrip otherwise known as Pip. Pip is first seen in a graveyard on his own reading the tombstones of his other family members who he never knew. The fact that the coming to life of Pip is through death shows that Dickens believes that childhood is an awful time of your life. We are told that Pips first memories are of him on his own finding out that his family are all dead and buried in a church yard over run with nettles. This isnt a†¦show more content†¦Also two other characteristics that occur a lot in the novel shows Dickens views of childhood are naivety and innocence. The innocence in Pip is shown because he is always polite towards the convict even when hes hurting him goo-good-night, sir, This shows that children are brought up to be well mannered towards their elders and are too innocent to know that the man was a convict. Pip shows his naivety when he believes if he doesnt do as the convict says he will be attacked by another man, the young man, I was in mortal terror of the young man who wanted my heart and liver this shows how naive children are because Pip believed in a made up man and didnt think once about questioning the convict about this man. The final way Dickens shows the horror of childhood through Pip is by the way Pip acts. Pip is always trying to make any possible improvement to himself by advancement in education and social class. What a scholar you are. This is shown through the fact that Pip enjoys writing and school and wants to further his knowledge. Pips improvement of social class is shown through the fact that he wants to marry into a higher class. By attempting to improve himself DickensShow MoreRelatedCritical Analysis Of Great Expectations1449 Words   |  6 Pagesfrom a work of fiction is, however, dependant on who is reading it at the time. In the case of Great Expectations there are a number of themes running through the text including betterment through education, what it is to be a gentleman, respectability and crime, parental /family ties, and industry and idleness. Many of the original readers of the work were not concerned with analysing these various themes, and how Dickens put the work toget her. Rather, it was enjoyed as a populist piece of fictionRead MoreCharles Dickens Great Expectations1208 Words   |  5 Pagesink can clear the path to enlightenment, and this is increasingly evident in Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations. 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