Great Expectations Context edexcel 3-19th-Century-Novel

Great Expectations historical and social context

Social class

• The novel was written in 1860-1 but is set earlier in the century, mostly during the Regency and later Georgian period

• This was a time of rapid political, industrial and social change, with four monarchs reigning in England within a very short period of time: 

  • Following King George III’s bout of madness, the Prince Regent (his son) was given power in 1810 and later became King George IV (1820-30) 

  • King William succeeded him between 1830-7 when Queen Victoria was crowned as queen

• The majority of the events in Great Expectations take place before 1830, and even though there were important innovations during the novel’s time period, they are not explored in the narrative itself:

  • Pip’s narrative takes place between Christmas Eve in 1812 and sometime around the winter of 1840 

• During this period, social class could be easily distinguished by a person’s manner of speaking and their appearance

• Your social class was not solely determined by noble lineage or your relationship with the aristocracy:

  • Instead, being accepted by the ruling class often required simply demonstrating that your wealth had been acquired in a gentlemanly manner

• This was a period when the upper classes displayed a snobbish contempt and disdain for those beneath them:

  • They believed that by imposing strict class barriers, they could prevent the encroachment of the rapidly urbanising lower classes

Integrity and reputation

• People in the 19th century were eager to ensure that they were adhering to the conventions of behaviour and etiquette, outlined in popular published guides about proper behaviour and conduct

• The concept of a gentleman or lady in the 19th century referred to individuals who displayed integrity and conducted themselves with grace in their respective social roles:

  • However, it was evident that social status and morality were not always linked

• Respectability was a key aspect of Victorian society and there were strict social codes regarding behaviour and moral and social conventions were highly valued

• The social standards of the time expected gentlemen and bachelors to act in a dignified and respectable manner, with the highest standards of behaviour 

• This period saw the emergence of a new middle class who were able to gain wealth and power through their own success, rather than through being born into the aristocracy:

  • This led to a debate about what it meant to be a ‘gentleman’ and whether their qualities could be acquired or were merely based upon one’s birth right:

    • Some argued that a gentleman was someone who behaved with respect and civility, regardless of his social class

    • Others argued a gentleman could only be someone of a particular social standing who had certain privileges and obligations

Ambition and self-improvement

• Great Expectations takes place during the Industrial Revolution and it was a time characterised by significant advancements in technology:

  • This opened up numerous financial possibilities for individuals from lower economic backgrounds and provided opportunities for individuals to achieve immense wealth, despite their humble backgrounds

• During the 1830s, there was an increase in social and political unrest:

  • The first Reform Bill in 1832 signalled the beginning of more progressive social policies, as middle class men were given the right to vote 

• In 1837, Queen Victoria was crowned, ushering in an era of Victorian values and ideals:

  • Unlike the previous era, when the aristocratic class dominated, this period saw a new shift towards increasing social mobility

Great Expectations literary context

Bildungsroman and Gothic genres 

• During the Victorian era, the Bildungsroman genre emerged as one of the most popular literary types of fiction: it translates as a “novel of education”

  • Like Great Expectations, these novels generally portrayed the protagonist’s psychological and moral growth from their youth into adulthood

• The conventional structure of a Bildungsroman involved the following:

  • Loss: The protagonist experiences a profound emotional loss at the beginning of the story, typically during their childhood or adolescent years 

  • Journey: Motivated by their personal tragedy, the protagonist embarks on a journey, either physical or metaphorical, to gain a better understanding of the world

  • Conflict and personal growth: The protagonist’s journey entails mistakes and often clashes with societal norms, although as the narrative progresses, the protagonist gradually embraces the values of society

  • Maturity: By the conclusion of the novel, the protagonist undergoes significant personal development, exhibiting a positive transformation as they reach maturity

• The Gothic genre also became popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries:

  • Dickens made use of gothic elements extensively in Great Expectations