Does Social Class Fill The Void - 1364 Words

Does Social Class Fill the Void? It is said that right before someone dies, they see their life flash before their eyes. They are said to see the things most dear to them. However, no one on their deathbed regrets the amount of money they have. In the moment of clarity, most realize that a number on a paycheck is not as important as emotional and mental possessions. People always tell each other that money can not buy happiness, yet most end up spending every waking moment thinking about money. Why do people waste their time and energy pursuing something that is not what they truly need? Often, people use social class to escape a void in their lives that can not be filled with materialistic possessions. Many people realize this rarely†¦show more content†¦For instance, this quote shows that Pip has not been aware that he is of a lower class. Being in the Satis house opens the door to the possibility of achieving a higher social status. Pip has a void in his life, and it is based on the shame he feels about his social standing. This realization is what will start Pip on his social-climbing journey. As time passes, Pip acts on these feelings of incompetence, which are his â€Å"particular reasons for wanting to be a gentleman† (130). To clarify, this evidence proves that Pip is attempting to escape his void of shame with the power of a higher social class. He is trying to stop being ashamed of his origins by leaving them behind. Pip is using higher social status as a means to get away from his problems. For Pip, becoming a gentleman is his escape from the shame he feels. In contrast, at the end of the novel, Pip realizes that working â€Å"pretty hard for a sufficient living† is what truly makes a man â€Å"do well† (496). To further the point, this citation illustrates that Pip realizes that striving for social class is actually making him more unhappy. His constant reaching does not make his shame go away, it only makes it worse. Pip then realizes that an honest, hardworking lifestyle is the only way to make the shame