The House Of The Scorpion Quote Analysis

Great Expectations and The House of the Scorpion are two different novels, but they also share many similarities. Great Expectations is a novel written by Charles Dickens that describes the life of Pip, a young man who is given money by a mysterious benefactor in an effort to become a gentleman. In this book, money is often used as a synonym for power. Conversely, The House of the Scorpion is a futuristic story about a young clone named Matt, who attempts to gain the status of ‘human’ in the minds of others. Both books demonstrate a common theme of power corrupts, through many methods including symbolism, characters, dialogue, and setting. This theme is a part of human nature, and raises problems in any society. Both Great Expectations

It has a large impact on the individual in society. This is due to the fact that most people crave power, and will sacrifice many things to gain status. Often, even after one has come to power, their perceived influence causes them to become corrupted, making decisions with their own advancement in mind, rather than the well being of those they have power over. Unfortunately, this unfavorable aspect of human nature also has a negative impact on society as a whole. If the leaders of society are corrupted by their power, then society will be stumbling blindly through the dark, misled by their selfish leaders. Of course, as there are exceptions to every rule, as many leaders are good and just, and help guide their country to meet its best interests. This theme calls to attention the character of those in power, both in fictional societies and in the society of

This is first used when Pip thinks, “...and it was not until I began to think, that I began fully to know how wrecked I was, and how the ship in which I had sailed was gone to pieces” (Dickens 253). This is significant because it shows Pip, after he has come into his Great Expectations, realizing that his power has corrupted him. This demonstrates the idea that power corrupts because Pip, who has the moral wherewithal to know that he is corrupted, is too far corrupted by his power to completely right himself. Secondly, in reflection, Pip muses, “If I could have kept him away by paying money, I certainly would have paid money” (Dickens 170). This is in reference to Joe’s arrival in London, and Pip’s shame pertaining to his humble roots. This shows the concept that power corrupts because Pip’s money has caused him to be embarrassed of his former lack of money. His corruption, as caused by his money, has gone so far as to alienate him from everything that he once loved. Additionally, Pip thinks “There was a long hard time when I kept far from me the remembrance of what I had thrown away when I was quite ignorant of its worth” (Dickens 380). This shows Pip reflecting on his decisions, and regretting drifting away from Joe, Biddy, and his humble beginnings. His money, or his power, caused him to throw away everything that he loved. Throughout this novel, Pip’s