Poverty, Social Class and Social Mobility in Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations (1861) and John Steinbeck’s The Pearl(1947): A Comparative Study
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Date
2024
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Université Mouloud Mammeri Tizi Ouzou
Abstract
The present research provides a comparative analysis of Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations (1861) and John Steinbeck’s The Pearl (1947) to examine their depiction of the issues of poverty, social class and social mobility. Through the lens of the Marxist theory of Social Class, we have explored problems of poverty and social class in the two treated novels as a case of study. These two novels influenced the Capitalism on the English and American societies in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, respectively. Consequently, these two novels provide profound insights into the Marxist theory by exploring social inequality, class struggle, and the dire consequences of Capitalism. The findings of the study revealed that both novels depict the harsh realities faced by individuals living in poverty and the challenges of achieving social mobility. Dickens and Steinbeck emphasize the importance of moral integrity and the dangers of greed in navigating life's challenges .
Description
39p. ; (+CD-Rom)
Keywords
Charles Dickens, John Steinbeck, poverty, social class, social mobility, Capitalism, Marxism
Citation
Comparative literature