Context of Shakepeare's Great Expectations

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 …

…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.