Preview of Great Expectations: Gods Law Vs. Human Law:

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Great Expectations: God's Law vs. Human Law


In his book Great Expectations, the problematic nature of moral judgement
and justice that stems from a conflict between God's law and human law is one of
several topical themes that Charles Dickens addresses. This paradox regularly
surfaces in his treatment of plot and setting, and is more subtlety illustrated
in his use of character. To facilitate the reader's awareness of such a
conflict, the narrator often uses language that has Christian connotations when
relating his thoughts and when giving descriptions of the environment,
characters and events that take place. While these things allude to divine and
moral law, the story itself revolves around crime and criminals, thereby
bringing issues of human law into focus.
The climate for this theme is established from the very beginning of the
novel. Pip's act of Christian charity towards the convict can also be
considered a serious crime. The story opens in a churchyard where the grave,
symbolic of eternal judgement can be contrasted with the nearby gallows,
symbolizing human punishment. Set on the eve in which we commemorate the birth
of Christianity, an institution based on charity and love, Pip feels guilty for
bringing food to a starving fellow human. Pip must steal food from his own
family to help Magwitch, thereby transforming mercy and compassion into crimes.
As Pip is running home, he looks back at the convict and sees him limping
towards the gallows "...as if he were ... [to view the full essay now, purchase below]

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