Describe the context of Great Expectations (1820s - 1850s) 19th century England, at the time of the setting of "Great Expectations", was characterised by widespread inequality; between genders, social classes and between city and country life. These inequalities became more pronounced as a result of the rapid industrialisation of that period. Class distinction was a major feature of the era. With increasing industrialisation, the middle class slowly disintegrated, increasing the disparity between the upper and …showed first 75 words of 649 total…

…showed last 75 words of 649 total…was implemented. Living conditions were poor; many families shared one small house with no sanitation. Waste was put into effluent buckets which were then poured into the street, increasing the spread of disease. Drunkenness was a major problem, even among children, as alcohol, especially beer was cheaper to obtain than drinking water. Charles Dickens set "Great Expectations" in such a period of time, reflecting the paradigms and conditions of society of early nineteenth century England.