The Victorian era, spanning from 1837 to 1901, was characterised by rapid industrialisation, strict social hierarchies, and moral earnestness. Dickens often used his novels to critique societal injustices, depicting characters caught in a web of class divisions and moral expectations. In Great Expectations, Dickens explores themes of social mobility and personal morality against this backdrop. The character of Pip reflects the Victorian obsession with status, while Miss Havisham embodies the corruption and stagnation of old aristocratic values. Dickens' use of humour and pathos serves to reveal the complex realities of Victorian life, contrasting wealth and poverty, progress and tradition. Phrases like 'social ladder' and 'moral compass' encapsulate the Victorian preoccupations Dickens critiques. Recognising these themes helps us understand Dickens' purpose: to shed light on societal flaws through compelling storytelling.