What is the explanation of the theme class in great expectations?
Class is how people are divided up according to social status, for example: (it’s been a while since I read the book) Pip begins as being working class, but sees himself as being better than where he originated. He wants to marry Estella who in terms of class is above him. You have to remember that back when the book was written, class was something that was determined by birth and you were not expected to aspire beyond what was already destined to be your lot. This is just an example as there are many different situations in the story that are used as a framing device to make a social comment. Pip, as you probably know, is given oppurtunities beyond his families means but is unaware that they are provided to him through a criminals ill gotten gains and believes that a rich family see more to him than meets the eye. Its that sort of thing, sort of ironic in a way.
