An Optimistic Trajectory: A "Great Expectations" Discussion

Is it realistic that a child of the lower class would ever be given the opportunity that Pip receives? Would Pip have had the desire if he had not had the privilege

While I would not say it’s realistic for Pip to have so easily climbed the social hierarchy, I think it is instead intended to be a hopeful read, and while physically set in Victorian times, was meant to provide a story where growth was possible. It’s idealistic, but in a way that is aimed at being beneficial and to show a better way. Children of the lower class – while I was not there – were probably bereft of hope and opportunity; likely, they had to work as soon as they were able, and there was likely little in the way of prosects to climb out of poverty. Is it realistic that an unknown benefactor would have taken an interest in a poor, provincial boy and ensured he got an education? No. Not really.

That being said, in Ancient Rome, it would have been likely. In antiquity, families of wealth often and regularly adopted children into their own household as a part of being a good citizen. It was not like the charity of Christianity, but instead, titles and inheritance were a part of the package. Dickens was likely familiar with the concept and was likely imagining a life where this practice was adopted into the fold through the context of his own times. Pip is not adopted, just generously donated upon to progress in a societal capacity.  

As for if Pip had the desire, yes, absolutely. Irrespective of it coming to fruition, from the outset of the novel, he continually wishes for better prospects, which is an absolutely understandable wish. Pip and Joe are abused by his sister, and to want better circumstances is a reasonable hope. I think if he’d have remained in his circumstances, learning blacksmithing from Joe, he’d have always been wishing for something else.