One concept--an abstract or general idea inferred or
apprehended from specific instances--that comes from the novel, Great
Expectations is the absolute value of love. For, love transcends social
class, love transcends generations, love transcends all
else.
In the First Stage a young Pip recounts that he
"looked up to Joe in my heart." However, he does not understand intellectually the
value of this love until he becomes a young gentleman and rejects Joe's love only to
discover that his false values are of no worth. For, Estella and Miss Havisham, whom he
has held in high regard cause him agony.
Finally, as in
the Bible, what Harold Bloom calls the greatest literary work of all time,
specifically St. Paul's letter to the Corinthians, Pip sees in "a mirror dimly" that he
has been selfish and cruel to those who love him: Joe, Biddy, and Magwitch. Pip gives
up his selfish, childish ways and sees clearly that above all else, love is the greatest
of values. To paraphrase St. Paul, Pip now fully understands that faith, hope, and love
abide; but the greatest of these is love. He tends lovingly to the poor, dying
Magwitch; he returns to Miss Havisham and forgives her, even saves her from the fire; he
forgives Estella; he embraces Joe, begging his and Biddy's forgiveness of his cruelty;
and he performs an act of great charity and love towards
Herbert.
Love is the concept, the ideal, that prevails
throughout Great Expectations; it is nobler
than any other concept--ambition, social class, etc.
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