Great Expectations 7
The author Charles Dickens was a talented illustrator of character. Throughout his novel Great Expectations he presents this gift by creating several unique characters. A dominant character throughout the novel is Estella, adopted daughter of the eccentric Miss Havisham. Estella is cold-hearted, a victim of Miss Havisham, and repentant.
Throughout the novel Estella has a hard time understanding feelings. As a child when Pip would play with her she was cold to him, "And what coarse hands he has! And what thick boots" (57). The characteristic is significantly seen in response to Pip's declaration of love, "It seems," said Estella, very calmly that there are certain sentiments, fancies-I ...
Want to read the rest of this paper? Join Essayworld today to view this entire essay and over 50,000 other term papers
|
action, Estella furthers herself from any true feeling.
Though she advocated it, Estella's actions weren't entirely her fault. Motivated by a jilting on her wedding day, Miss Havisham adopts Estella to raise her into a heartless instrument of revenge against men. Estella makes unwise decisions mostly based on Miss Havisham's teachings. She marries Pip's rival Walter Drummle who beats her. Miss Havisham pushes Estella to the limit, and ends up hurting Estella, and herself as well. Miss Havisham's expectations for her isolates Estella into a cold, wretched creature. Ironically, she has turned Estella into her own worst enemy.
A loveless marriage serves as an impetus to Estella's redemption. When Estella and Pip meet again at Satis House, Estella reveals she has learned how to love, and what it feels like to be hurt. Estella attains redemption, a dominant theme in the novel, through a troubled life. She also gives closure to her relationship with Pip by asking to remain friends, ...
Get instant access to over 50,000 essays. Write better papers. Get better grades.
Already a member? Login
|
CITE THIS PAGE:
Great Expectations 7. (2008, February 16). Retrieved June 21, 2025, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Great-Expectations-7/79143
"Great Expectations 7." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 16 Feb. 2008. Web. 21 Jun. 2025. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Great-Expectations-7/79143>
"Great Expectations 7." Essayworld.com. February 16, 2008. Accessed June 21, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Great-Expectations-7/79143.
"Great Expectations 7." Essayworld.com. February 16, 2008. Accessed June 21, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Great-Expectations-7/79143.
|