Introduction
Many of Dickens's novels, have to do with a low-life rising above their current social class. This is still prevalent in the world today; even though no caste system exist in the U.S, some citizens are still restricted by their upbringing. Disadvantages can include education, income inequality, or police brutality and injustice. In other countries, legal caste systems still do exist, and whether it based on race, religion, gender, or all of the above, it takes great strife for the lower classes to rise above their birth.
What is a caste system? A caste system is a class structure that is determined by birth. It means that if your parents are poor, you're going to be poor, too, and the same is applied to the rich.
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Identity In Great Expectations, Pip and Estella were due for two different paths. Pip and Estella’s relationship reflect upon the idea of the appearances vs reality theme that prevails throughout Charles Dickens’s novels. The theme of social class is central to Great Expectations as it acts as extends into the other themes such as the Appearance theme. Pip's angst over being "common," as Estella has labeled him, is his driving force to become a gentleman and entertain the "great expectations" of having bettered himself sufficiently so that he will become worthy of Estella. But, of course the class structure is a false one in Great Expectations, thus paralleling the Appearance vs. Reality theme, as Pip later learns; rather, it is what one is as a person that is truly of value. Estella, for all her beauty and daintiness is but common in her heart; she is incapable of noble thoughts and acts while Joe, the humble blacksmith is truly a good and noble man.
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RaceRace has formed social structures since the dawn of civilization. Humans differ very little from each other, however, the differences have been outlined to keep the powerful in power. In Afghanistan, a caste system has existed that predates the modern era. Enforced by the majority race group in the region, the system has restricted many minorities into poverty.
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ReligionAs seen in the image above, religious leaders are the preeminent members of society. This is because caste systems and social structures, were often enforced by religion previous to the 20th century. To understand why, one must first study why religion was created, and who it was created by. In most cases, a religion was founded because a person was looking to make profit or obtain a position of power. The story of the creation of Islam is such. Even though Mohammed was likely a just and moral person, his followers quickly found a way to make money off his previously non-profit enterprise. The religion was born as a way to make the world better, however it quickly evolved into an excuse to wage wars and create empires; this was due to power-hungry opportunists, who saw religion as a way to improve themselves, rather than society. A similar story is seen with Christianity and the crusades, in which young men were forced by their religious and political leaders to die for an unjust cause. Like Islam, most of Christianity's modern ideals, were not created by Christ himself, but those in power. In Great Expectations, Pip was tormented by the caste system as he felt deprived of the opportunity to love Estella.
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