Charles Dickens' literary masterpiece, "Great Expectations," was written as a brutal commentary on the social hierarchy system during the Victorian era. The novel exemplifies the Victorian's desire for upward mobility and dispels the common fantasy that anyone can rise to higher social status if only they would come into a source of wealth. Throughout the novel, the essentially good-hearted characters learn to live with what they have and therefore, find peace and happiness in even the harshest of life's realities. Some of these "good" characters are noteworthy; Joe, Wemmick, Herbert and Matthew Pocket. .
On the other side, those who try to take advantage of others such as Compeyson, Drummle, and Orlick, rightfully suffer the consequences of their wickedness. Pip's journey exposes him to all levels of the social spectrum and he pines for a higher class life than the one he is living in at the beginning of the story. But Dicken's, in his brilliance, reminds the reader through Pip, that wealth can never replace love. .
Pip begins his journey through the social spectrum as a young, poor, blacksmith's apprentice. At this point, his position in the hierarchy is extremely low and he lives off his meager earnings. The blacksmith is his sister's husband, and it was considered by all to be a bit of good fortune that Pip had family member who was able to give him an apprenticeship position. It's evident that Pip is a very caring and considerate boy, and when he meets Magwitch, an escaped convict hiding in the marshes, he helps him by providing him with food, despite the fact that Magwitch has threatened his life. .
Pip first starts analyzing his social status when he visits with Miss Havisham and meets Estella, her adopted daughter. As he and Estella are playing cards, Estella makes mention of his lower class features: "'He calls the knaves, Jacks, this boy!' said Estella with disdain, before our first game was out.