Great Expectations: God's Law Vs. Human Law
Beginning of paper
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 subtl ....
Middle of paper
.... 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 the pirate come to li ....
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Word count: 1151
Page count: 5 (approximately 250 words per page)
