England, in the mid to late 1800s, was ruled by Queen Victoria and many changes were made in the aptly named Victorian Era: religion was called into question, personal will as a part of the state's will was emphasized, and, most important, social responsibility was demanded. Victorian England, the setting for Great Expectations¸ caused many people to act socially responsible, but with no love or hidden intentions; one, such as Pip, could never tell who was really his friend or not. Charles Dickens, the author of Great Expectations, wanted to show how it seems that the people who weren't `socially responsible' beyond the glory always got the good stuff (as Christians, we know that we may not be successful in this life, but in Heaven we will live the high life for eternity). In examining three characters - Ms. Havisham, Magwitch, and Joe - Dickens' point will be...