Materialism and Great Expectations

Materialism is the theory that physical matter is the only or fundamental reality and that all being and processes and phenomena can be explained as manifestations or results of matter. Basically materialism is the thought that success and therefore happiness can only be obtained if you posses many things, items, or objects. In the Victorian culture, if you did not have large sums of money, rich clothes, and rich friends, you were a nobody. Many felt that without possessions there was no happiness. In Great Expectations Wemmick, Mr. Jaggers’ assistant, constantly preaches about “portable property”. Generally agreeing with materialism Wemmick liked portable property because it was always with him. And he was terribly dismayed at the thought of loss of the “portable property” as though he would loose a piece of himself.
Clothing served to identify social classes in Victorian culture. “Clothing is a mark of identity in Victorian society. A common man, a laborer s...