Great Expectations Greed Quotes

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Greed, an intense and selfish desire, a desire that plagues society and all members of it. Corrupting us so much that even authors realize and integrate it into their literature. Everyone experiences greed first handedly. Even the iconic author Charles Dickens and his famous book Great Expectations shows influences through the greed of his childhood, and certain characters contain such selfishness. Some may argue that it wouldn’t affect others and their decisions, but greed can be traced back to many singular and universal power struggles. As Dickens shows through Pip, Magwitch, and Joe greed consumes us and affects others around us if we let it cloud our reasoning. To illustrate, the protagonist of Great Expectations, Pip, is a prime example of having a greed that influences those around him. Throughout his story, Pip experienced a lust for money and experiences the eventual effects on his character. Furthermore, …show more content…
Not only does Pip disregard his friends and family, but he does it for a reason based on greed. His incentive to leaving is motivated by his want of money and Estella’s love. By listening to his own selfish desire he unknowingly hurt those close to him. To enumerate on the effects of Pip’s greed, Pip is shocked when he views his own thoughts on wealth when Magwitch explains how if he can’t achieve something, “money shall back you[him/Pip]!” (Dickens 299). Through this experience, Pip had a look at his own selfish ideals on money through Magwitch’s statement. By believing that wealth could provide him every want he is blinded by the sheer ease of a rich life. When his benefactor bluntly