Great Expectations 14

• "Oh, dear good Joe, whom I was so ready to ... leave and so unthankful to, I see you again ... Oh, dear good faithful tender Joe, I feel the loving tremble of your hand upon my arm, as solemnly this day as if it had been the rustle of an angel's wing" (p. 142)
  

One of the most important themes that Dickens expresses in Great Expectations is overcoming the fact that social status is not a standard for happiness and the importance of treating loved ones with respect. By the end of the novel, Pip realizes that he is extremely unthankful to Joe, his most loyal and supportive family member. Even though Pip's huge dreams and emotions clash, he put aside his main concerns of appearance and social status, and is able to appreciate the continuous love and friendship Joe has for him.

Photo Credit:
Photograph. Life Vesting. Web. 3 Jan. 2010. http://www.lifevesting.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/loving-father.jpg.