Great expectations 7
Great expectations 7The 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 don't know how to call them-which I am not able to comprehend. When you say you love me, I know what you mean as a form of words, but nothing more" (347). Her lack of emotions and understanding give the people who "love" her a difficult time. Estella appears to do what she has to in a manner irritatingly relaxed. She functions like a robot programed to carry necessary tasks. "You may kiss me if you like," (88), she tells Pip with no feeling, almost as if the kiss was money or a gift. With every cold-hearted 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...
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