Charles Dickens, the esteemed author of Great Expectations, is renowned for his realistic portrayals of society. He presents readers with a vivid reflection of the values and beliefs of the Victorian Age, while exposing the inherent unfairness and hypocrisy that permeated society. This paper is a case study, aiming to explore the profound influence of the social environment on personal character development, according to different life stages of Pip. Albert Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory and Lawrence Kohlberg's Moral Development Theory can be combined to interpret Pip's character development and moral evolution. During Pip’s childhood and gentleman life, he encounters people of various social backgrounds. As the social environment changes, Pip’s character evolves as well. He turns from a pure and innocent child to a gentleman with hypocrisy, only to ultimately rediscover his innate goodness. Through Pip's character development, it becomes evident that social environment plays a critical role in shaping one's character, while innate nature and personal choices are equally essential. The study emphasizes the significance of maintaining a balanced mindset and dispelling illusions, cautioning against the allure of unrealistic aspirations or possessions that can lead one astray in life.

Yang Ying. The Influence of Social Environment on Personal Character Development: A Case Study of Pip in Great Expectations. Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences (2023) Vol. 6, Issue 16: 9-17. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJHSS.2023.061602.

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