A Look at Great Expectations and High Hopes

The commonalities and differences become apparent when looking at both Charles Dickens' Great Expectations (1861) and Mike Leigh's High Hopes (1988).  The common theme that both artists tend to show primarily throughout their works is the idea of social class. A staple is both pieces, we see the longing and desire that their characters hold in such high regard. We first see it in Great Expectations with Pip who, for most of his life, wishes for upward social mobility. With a stroke of luck, his dreams come true and he is able to get a taste of the wealthier, upper class lifestyle when an anonymous benefactor gives Pip a large sum of money. He finally learns to become a gentleman and begins to have a taste for the finer things in life. However, it does not last forever and Pip soon finds himself down on his luck when past characters in his life reappear. From my perspective, Pip's story is comparable with the Valerie character in the movie High Hopes. The movie does not provide much background on her upbringing but from her behavior you are able to determine that she too longs for the finer things in life. Her demeanor seems to be that of a social climber. We are shown a glimpse of her intentions when she goes to pick her mother up from the mother's next door neighbors home after she is locked out of her own house. Valerie shows up well dressed, pretending to be someone of higher class status than she truly is. However, similar to Pip's, her dreams are too shot down when she is shut out by the neighbors. The differences begin here with Valerie never truly getting the satisfaction she always wanted. Pip on the other hand found love and closure from his past encounters and was able to move on with his life while Valerie never got the chance to. When comparing Great Expectations and High Hopes, the similarities and differences can be obvious and straightforward but there are a few that you have to keep an eye out for.