“David Copperfield,” “Oliver Twist,” and “Great Expectations” are three of Charles Dickens's most celebrated novels, each demonstrating his unique style, themes, and character development. However, although all three novels share many similar parts, there are also many different aspects of the story that make each story unique. We are therefore able to compare and contrast the three novels through the many characters and themes of the novels.
Social class is what one is defined by and can impact one in many different ways. One’s social class can also determine how society views them and the opportunities that are offered to them. In all three novels social class is a prominent theme and all three novels demonstrate/show how social class impacts each character individually. “David Copperfield” explores the theme of personal identity within the context of social class. As David goes on a journey of self discovery, we are able to see how social class impacts him in many different ways. “Oliver Twist” explores the difficulties those in the lower class go through during the Victorian era. The novel also greatly demonstrates the conditions of the Victorian workhouses. The Victorian workhouse, a system of workhouses that dominated England and Wales during the 19th century, was an institution where those who weren’t able to sufficiently provide for themselves financially were offered living accommodations and employment. This workhouse system in many ways reflected the societal attitude towards poverty, those of a lower class, and charity at the time. The novel “Great Expectations,” focuses on social mobility and how wealth and class can influence one’s behavior and morals. All in all, social class plays an important role in all the novels but in many different ways.
Personal growth is an important part of life as it demonstrates how one can change over time and as they get older. Although all three novels explore the theme of personal growth, in some novels, personal growth is more important than others. “David Copperfield” and ‘Great Expectations” both emphasize personal growth strongly. However, David's journey is more internal and reflective, while Pip's is more external and marked by the events that happen throughout his journey. “David Copperfield” explores how one should go after their dreams and achieve what they believe. “Great Expectations” on the other hand talks more about Pip’s journey to become "uncommon” and how many events along the way impacts him.“Oliver Twist” on the other hand is less about personal growth and more about survival in a challenging environment/situation. Personal growth can be shown in many ways and can be expressed differently.
The three novels also explore the topic of changes in social class and how social climbers improve their social class. In the novels, there are many people who are able to change their social status for the better as well as those whose social class went down as the novel progressed. In “David Copperfield,” there were many examples of social climbers as well as those who remained in their current social class. There were also examples of those who lost their wealth due to unfortunate events and those who were able to gain back their wealth. In “Oliver Twist,” we discover that Oliver is actually someone of a high social class but was just born somewhere of a lower social class. As Oliver ages, he slowly discovers who he is and returns to where he belongs. In “Great Expectations” on the other hand, there are many social climbers who each “climbed” in a different way. Estella is someone who’s social class changed after she was adopted by Miss Havisham and became Miss Havisham’s adopted daughter. However, after her marriage to her husband Bentley Drummle, things started going downhill. Her husband wasted everything, died and left Estella nothing. Ultimately, her inheritance from Miss Havisham was used to pay off her late husband’s debts. Pip too, on the other hand started low, but after being patronized by Magwitch whom he thought was a good person, wasted all his money on his extravagant lifestyle. However, once Magwitch’s real identity was revealed, Pip was left with debts. Other characters such as Herbert and Joe changed social classes due to their hard work. From the experiences of these characters and many others from Dickens’ novels, we can see and conclude that marriage is the fastest way to advance in social class.
Each of the three novels also have their own social commentary and are primarily focused/centered around different themes. “David Copperfield” is primarily focused on family, marriage, social class, while also reflecting Dickens’s views on education. The novel explores the importance of family and what makes a marriage successful. Dickens also compares those who are educated to those who were not. “Oliver Twist” on the other hand primarily focuses on the Victorian workhouse system, criminality, and the treatment towards the poor at the time. Through the eyes of young Oliver, we are able to see the reality of the Victorian workhouses and the cruelty and mistreatment of the poor. Established following the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834, the Victorian workhouses claimed to provide accommodation and employment to the poor but in reality allowed those of higher social classes to mistreat the poor. We are also able to learn about criminality in the Victorian era and see that individuals are often forced to turn to criminals in order to survive. “Great Expectations” on the other hand talks more about how wealth and social class can influence one’s morals and decisions. It also talks about guilt, privilege, and redemption through the acts of many different characters. All in all, although all three novels are similar in many different ways, they are also different for they differ in terms of social commentary.
Females played a small yet important role in many of Charles DIckens novels, showcasing the reality of women at the time. In Dickens boy novels, the women in each of the novels taught us an important lesson and impacted the main protagonists in many different ways.
The many female characters in the novel “David Copperfield” that David meets along the way all play a significant role in shaping David's life and helping him on his journey of self discovery. In the novel there are many strong and complex female figures who defy Victorian gender norms, showcasing the power of females in a male dominant society. Figures such as Agnes Wickfield, Dora Spenlow, and Betsey Trotwood each represent different aspects of femininity and each play an individual and unique role in David’s life. In "Oliver Twist," the representation of female characters demonstrates the vulnerabilities and societal expectations faced by women during the Victorian era. Figures such as Nancy and Mrs. Bumble demonstrate the harsh realities of life for women, particularly those of the lower social class. Nancy, a complex character, is portrayed as both a victim and protector in the novel. Although she is deeply connected to a gang of thieves and a world of crime, her fierce loyalty and protection instincts towards Oliver demonstrates her true human nature. Her death ultimately demonstrates the fate that awaits women at the time who wish to redeem themselves from their current circumstances. As stated in Wikipedia, “ In spite of her criminality, Nancy is portrayed as a sympathetic figure, whose concern for Oliver overcomes her loyalty to Sikes and Fagin.” (Wikipedia) In "Great Expectations," Dickens' portrayal of Estella, Miss Havisham, and Biddy also serve their own importance throughout the story and impact Pip in many different ways. Estella, shaped by Miss Havisham's desire for revenge against men, becomes an example of emotional detachment and the destructive potential of societal expectations. Her beauty and social status attracts Pip, yet her inability to feel love and affection results in her not reciprocating Pip’s love towards her. Estella demonstrates the dangers of raising a female according to patriarchal standards of beauty and power and the consequences that come with it. Miss Havisham, an eccentric character who demonstrates the scars of betrayal, shows how traumatic experiences can shape one’s identity. All in all, the women/female characters in Dickens’s Boy Series greatly demonstrates the important role of women/female characters in literature.
“David Copperfield,” “Oliver Twist,” and “Great Expectations” are three of Charles Dickens's novels that are all similar and different in many ways and are worthy of comparing and contrasting. Through the eyes of the three boys, we are able to learn about many important themes and life lessons and explore the social commentary and role of females in the novel. Dickens’ novels offer a view into life during his time through the eyes of three young boys. So, without further ado, let’s compare and contrast “David Copperfield,” "Oliver Twist,” and “Great Expectations”.
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