Great Expectations and Jane Eyre Comparing and...

â€Å"Great Expectations and Jane Eyre: Comparing and Contrasting Two Bildungsromans† Charles Dickens (the author of Great Expectations) and Charlotte Brontà « (the author of Jane Eyre) both grew up during the early 1800s. Growing up during the same time period, each author incorporated elements of the Victorian Society into these novels. Both novels depict the protagonist’s search for the meaning of life and the nature of the world within the context of a defined social order. In essence, the two novels encompass the all-around self-development of the main characters, by employing similar techniques. Each spurs the protagonist on their journey by introducing some form of loss or discontent which then results in the main character departing†¦show more content†¦Pip’s mindset regarding classes and success in life is drastically altered after his initial visit to the aristocratic Miss Havisham. â€Å"She said I was common† (69) spurs the realization in Pip that he is indeed innocent but unfortunately much oppressed. Pip is very distraught with his birth place into society, to the point that he â€Å"was discontented† (130) -- he increasingly desires to be a gentleman. He primarily desires this as a means of impressing Estella and winning her over. At this point in the novel, Pip is willing to give away what he loves (Joe – family setting) to obtain a superficial and insulting girl. One day Pip receives word that he now has the ability to grow up to be his ultimate dream, to be a gentleman. Pip awakens to a new world and those he once loved are no longer good enough for Pip. Moving to London, he becomes far more sophisticated, but at the same time loses his natural goodness. (Chesterton 142). Pip is leaving happiness and his real family to attain a life he thinks will make him more content. Before departing, he dreams of â€Å"Fantastic failures of journeys occupied me until the day dawned and the birds were singing† (148). This relates the dream that Pip has just before he sets out to London for the first time, with all of his quot;great expectationsquot; before him. Pip’s dream is permeated with the sadness and guilt caused by his imminent departure from Joe and Biddy and his aspirations for a new social station.