Wrapping Up Great Expectations

In the novel Great Expectations by Charles Dickens there are a few different things that could be overall messages. I think that the most prominent and widely used one is that money doesn't guarantee happiness. Throughout the story Pip longs to be a gentleman and have money to buy nice clothes and other things. As the novel progresses Pip realizes that even though he has come into money he is still unhappy. I think that this is a universal experience for people everywhere. People often see something that is "better" or more expensive than what they have and automatically want it. It is just human nature for people to want more than they have. Decades, centuries, ago people longed for something better; now people long for the same. That is one of the parts of this book that makes it timeless. People can always relate to wanting something better (and then feeling ashamed of what they have currently in comparison to that better thing). Even though they know that having a better house, better clothes, etc doesn't mean they will be happy and satisfied with their lives people don't seem to ever get over the feeling of striving for better. The message that money won't ensure happiness is universal for everyone everywhere, which makes Great Expectations a book that people will enjoy(or not), but relate to nevertheless for years to come.