Charles Dickens creates a believable image of the Victorian era. In a book review that appeared in the September 1861 issue of the Atlantic Monthly, it was stated that "in none of his other works does he show a keener view of real life, and a clearer perception and knowledge of what is called the world". ” (Peterson and Brother). The world created by Dickens emphasizes social structure, where the imbalance between social classes is prominent. Great Expectations, set in the Victorian era, successfully demonstrates the theme of social class and how this social hierarchy can be an inaccurate measure of self-worth. This main theme shows how the setting influences Pip's understanding, ultimately leading him to the conclusion that treating others with respect is more important than social standing. Dickens incorporates various settings such as Satis' house, Walworth Castle, the Victorian prison setting, and the general climate of the criminal world to develop the prominent theme of imbalance between the extremes of social classes. Satis's early home setting is used to show Miss Havisham's rights, emphasizing her superficial nature to promote the unfavorable side of wealth. Walworth Castle is an additional setting used to make Pip realize that a person's occupation is not a true definition of that person's personal worth. The prison environment is used to show how humans can overcome inhumane punishments further developing the theme that status does not define human worth. Dickens's portrayal of Magwitch's criminal environment further develops the theme that a person's self-worth is not necessarily determined by circumstances. The concept of Victorian law is... at the heart of the paper... the point of From the worker's perspective, the Victorian prison environment demonstrates how humans can overcome inhuman punishment and Magwitch's criminal environment further develops the theme that status does not define human worth. In Great Expectations, the use of setting ultimately leads Pip to the conclusion that treating others with respect is more important than social standing. Works Cited Peterson and Brothers, T.T. "_Great Expectations By CHARLES DICKENS." Atlantic Monthly 8.47 (1861): 55. Atlantic Monthly, Volume 8, No. 47, September 1861. Web. 18 November 2013. Hastings, Dr. Paul, and Ian Coulson. “Life in Kent Prisons before 1877.” Here's the Kent story. Here is Kent History and Web. November 25, 2013. Walsh, Susan. “Bodies of Capital: ‘Great Expectations’ and the Climate Economy.” Victorian Studies 37.1 (1993): 73+. General OneFile. Network. December 15. 2013.