Social Class in Part I

Part I of Great Expectations deals very directly with social class, and specifically to the way in which Pip is able to upset the balance of social power that each character derives for themself. Although one can say that the backbone of the class structure in the novel is based on the wealth of a given character, there is also great deal of power assumed by some characters based solely on their psychology, and is thus easily subject to change.

There appears to be two distinct social levels at the novel's outset. The higher of the two is made up of Mrs. Joe, with the later addition of such characters as Mr. Pumblechook and Mr. Wopsle. The lower of the two is headed primarily by Mr. Joe. This distinction is a psychological one; wealth is constant among all the characters at this point, but social dominance is assumed by Mrs. Joe and derived from her psychological dominance in the household.

Later, a third social tier is added, to be inhabited by Miss Havisham and Estelle. This tier is separated from the other two by both wealth and psychological factors. It may be important to note that the members of this tier are also physically separate from the other two, and no one with the exception of Pip is allowed to cross the divide that exists at the gates of Satis House.

There is also the hint of a fourth tier, or at least of a sub-level, present in part I. This tier would consist of such characters as the Camillas and Miss Sarah Pocket. This division is psychological, and is apparent in the way in which these characters appear to grovel in the presence of Miss Havisham, and in the disgust with which the latter treats the former.

Pip is the wildcard of the group. He quite clearly starts out at the very bottom of the pile, lower even than Mr. Joe. However, certain events soon accellerate his rise to the very top group. His education pushes him above poor Joe's level psychologically, and his close dealings and monetary gift from Miss Havisham bring him into the sphere dominated by Mrs. Joe and Pumblechook. Elements outside the social network such as the prisoner, the stranger, and the mysterious benefactor, also serve to separate Pip from the the normal rigidity of the class structure and he is flung suddenly into the very highest tier by his "great expectations", to join the ranks of Miss Havisham and Estelle.

As a note: if one admits the existance of the sub-level of the Camillas and Miss Pocket, evidence exists to suggest that Pip has transcended that group as well. In his last meeting with Miss Havisham, he runs into Miss Sarah Pocket. Her speechlessness at his appearance and her look of "jealous dismay" at his "great expectations" gives the indication that Pip has now surpassed her psychologically, if not monetarily as well.