Reviews

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens is one of the famous author’s best books, as the story is a critique of society, that in many ways, is still relevant to the modern-day. Wealth inequality is the main focus of the book, as the main character, Pip, is enamoured with the lifestyle of the rich from an early. This was due to his abuse and belittlement at the hands of the upper class at a young age, and ever since this traumatic experience, he dreams of becoming rich and is disgusted by his “peasant” lifestyle. Once he unexpectedly achieved his dream, his entire personality changes. He cuts ties with his loyal friends and family, and due to his lack of education, he spends his money without control or any understanding of the concept of finite resources. By the end of the book, Pip realizes what wealth has done to him, and how empty and vain high society truly is. Another thought-provoking idea that the book explores is destiny. Pip suddenly became rich because he had a secret benefactor who turned out to be a criminal and a bad man. However, for his entire life as a rich gentleman, Pip thought that his destiny was to become rich and marry the girl of his dreams, Estella, but with this reveal, his expectations are broken. This story serves to teach us about the dangers of wealth inequality, and the fallacy of unrealistic “great expectations”. All in all, this book gets a 4/5 rating, as although the morals and ideas are interesting, it can be a slow and oftentimes, boring book to read.