Worksheet on Victorian Context in Great Expectations
English
Year 9
9 questions
~18 mins
1 views0 downloads
About This Worksheet
A worksheet covering Victorian context in Great Expectations aimed at Year 9 students. It explores themes, societal influences, and authorial techniques relevant to the Victorian era.
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Worksheet on Victorian Context in Great Expectations
Subject: EnglishGrade: Year 9
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Untitled Worksheet
Grade Year 9
A
Introduction to Victorian Context
Great Expectations is set during the Victorian era, a time of significant social change in Britain. Queen Victoria's reign (1837–1901) was marked by industrialisation, expansion of the British Empire, and strict social hierarchies. Dickens' novel reflects these themes, illustrating the disparities between class and wealth, as well as the moral values of the period. Characters like Pip and Miss Havisham embody Victorian ideals of morality, aspiration, and social mobility, but also highlight the darker aspects of materialism and social injustice. Dickens often used symbolism and character development to critique Victorian society, exposing the corruption and inequality beneath its Victorian veneer. Key phrases such as 'great expectations' and 'gentlemanly manners' underscore societal pressures and the importance placed on wealth and status during this period.
1.
What are two major themes of Victorian society reflected in Great Expectations?
[2 marks]2.
Describe how Dickens critiques Victorian social values through his characters.
[4 marks]B
Analyzing Literary Techniques
'Mistress Havisham, dressed in her wedding gown, sat in darkness, her eyes fixed on the ruined wedding feast. The decayed grandeur symbolised her own life, trapped in a past full of broken expectations. Pip’s aspirations to become a gentleman are contrasted with the grim reality of social inequality, highlighting the era’s obsession with class and wealth.'
1.
Identify and explain one metaphor used in the extract.
[2 marks]2.
What does the contrast between Pip’s aspirations and the reality reveal about Victorian values?
[2 marks]C
Creative Writing Task
Imagine you are a Victorian journalist writing a report on social inequality based on Dickens' portrayal in Great Expectations. Write a 250-word article discussing the issues and using at least two quotes from the extract provided.
1.
Write a short article (around 250 words) from the perspective of a Victorian journalist criticising social inequality, including relevant quotes from Dickens' extract.
[10 marks]D
Character and Society
Choose two characters from Great Expectations and explain how they reflect Victorian societal values or issues.
1.
Compare Pip and Miss Havisham in terms of their representation of Victorian social expectations.
[3 marks]2.
How does Dickens depict social mobility through the character of Magwitch?
[3 marks]E
The Victorian Setting and Symbolism
The ruined wedding feast in Miss Havisham’s house symbolises her broken hopes and the decay of Victorian social pretensions. The dark, decaying mansion represents the corrupt moral state of Victorian society, where appearances often mask reality.
1.
Identify a symbol in the extract and explain its significance.
[2 marks]2.
How does Dickens’ use of setting enhance the themes of social decay?
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Details
- Created
- 12/31/2025
- Updated
- 12/31/2025
- Type
- worksheet