‘Dickens holds a mirror up to his society in all his novels. In Great Expectations the reflections are of imprisonment in all its forms.’

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n Charles Dickens’ novel Great Expectations there are many forms of “imprisonment”, which the central characters encounter. Dickens’ focuses on the theme of showing society their false values and imperfections. Imprisonment throughout the novel includes; imprisonment of the mind and of the heart. Dickens’ is judgemental of the brutality of the justice system, penal system, Newgate prison and the hulks, throughout the entire novel.


The physical imprisonment identified and criticized throughout the novel is analysed in a negative manner. This is evidently seen in the harsh treatment of convicts, who have suffered through the penal system and imprisonment on the hulks. Dickens’ describes the society attitude towards prisoners as distasteful and pompous, and;


“At the time, jails were much neglected, and the period of exaggerated reaction consequent on all public wrong-doing-and which is always its heaviest and longest punishment-was still far off.”


Magwitchs’ first capture is a prime example of the entertainment gauged by the community from this repugnant behaviour. The injustice occurring in the courts, is the reason for such an increase in the imprisonment of many people, Dickens’ is judgemental of this, expressing his opinion of Newgate prison in a negative manner. Pip begins with a common community attitude towards convicts; however, later on in the novel his attitude changes due to the tainted feeling of having a connection with Magwitch. This is clearly seen when he feels a sense of loss after Magwitchs’ death; “what I look at, is the sacrifice of so much portable property.” As Pip’s attitude changes towards convicts, the representation of a true gentleman emerges from within him.


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Self-imprisonment is condemned throughout the novel, and Dickens’ is clear in proposing his opinion of self-imprisonment in a way of committing a sin against others and ourselves. Dickens’ describes this imprisonment as shunning human companionship, and this is mainly visible in the lives of Miss. Havisham and Mrs. Joe. After Miss. Havisham’s betrayal in love, she hardened her heart towards her fellow man, and by doing this she committed a crime against herself. Her love for Compeyson was of a compassionate kind, which blinded her from his true nature, as Herbert remarked, “too haughty and too much in love to be advised by anyone”. Compeysons desertion turned Miss. Havisham to become sorrowful and angry, resulting in shutting out the world from herself in Satis House. This house became a monument to her broken heart, and her only concession is in her adoption of Estella; “and I wondered… whether the flower seeds and blobs ever wanted of a fine day to break out of those jails, and bloom”.


Miss. Havishams’ self-imprisonment triggered revenge, which occurred from her personal hurt. Her motives for adopting Estella, was to turn her into a haughty, heartless instrument of revenge against men, and this only blighted Estella’s personal growth. Her use of Pip and Estella to obtain malicious revenge was curtailed when Estella’s lack of love is shown, and when Pip loses his Great Expectations. Through her suffering, Miss. Havisham becomes mentally aware of her actions, and realizes she has become a victim of her own machinations. “Her hand still covering her heart…she seemed all resolved into a ghastly stare of pity and remorse.”


Mrs. Joe’s self-imprisonment was brought upon herself as she played the role of a martyr. Mrs. Joe feels trapped in a marriage that ran on no love. She is a pretentious lady, who is a strong believer in property, money and status. The true gentleman in Joe and the niceness in Pip blinds Mrs. Joe, however, it is not until she was hit over the head by Orlick, that she breaks out of her self-possessed imprisonment. From her suffering she shows remorse and recognition of how she has wronged both Joe and Pip; “Joe…pardon…Pip”. Her imprisonment is laid to rest after the incident, and forever gone at her death.


Jaggers’ is another central character throughout the novel, who suffers from imprisoning himself. Jaggers’ shuts himself off from love, pleasures and delight, as he lives for his work and money. He lives a life excluding warmth, and this is brought upon from his lack of concern for humanity. His profession has imprisoned his better instincts, leaving him isolated within the system. Jaggers’ cuts himself off from any chances of redemption, and because of this many people, for example Magwitch, are in fear of him. His actions cause Wemmick to be involved in the isolation of his life, however, Wemmick is always able to break out of this imprisonment; “deeming Sunday the best day for taking Mr. Wemmick’s Walworth sentiments.”


Pip’s imprisonment begins at an early age, including; times spent at Miss. Havisham’s, his obsessive attitudes towards class and his characteristics consisting of false values; “what would it signify to me, being coarse and common, if nobody had told me so”. His self-possessed imprisonment is clearly seen when he; “comes into such good fortune…” From this Pip becomes conscious of his background, and this is evidently seen in the way he treats Joe. His self-imprisonment is broken when he loses his Great Expectations, and he slowly becomes aware of his actions of how unjust he has been to many, especially Joe. Pip chooses to break through his self-imprisoned barrier, leaving behind money and class, thus, suffering in trying to obtain redemption. Pip’s remorse is short lived, and he sees the importance of human values, letting go of his tainted growth.


Overall, the novel Great Expectations by Charles Dickens’ is expressed in a didactic manner. Many of the central characters find that suffering is the best lesson in life, resulting in remorse and true values. The theme of imprisonment (isolation) is a part of the structure the other themes hang from throughout the duration of the book. Dickens’ is critical of both self and physical imprisonment throughout the entire novel, however, from his criticism we see the true values of the novel.





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