Character Analysis

         Estella is one of the most complex and ironic characters in Great Expectations. Ever since Miss. Havisham has been present in her life, Estella has been trained to torment and break the hearts of men, silly enough to pursue her. She represents the opposite of the “love driven woman” that most writers of this time had written about. Estella also represents Pip’s desire and ideal life among the upperclass. Her rude manipulative ways have somehow driven Pip to be part of her world. Even though she is an image of high success and luxury, it turns out she is from a poorer family than Pip was. Unlike Pip, her desires to be among the upperclass have somewhat ruined her. Miss. Havisham has manipulated and destroyed her sense of emotion. She married the harsh and violent Drummle, only to be abused and taken advantage of. Charles Dickens uses her character to show the reader that happiness isn’t based on social class, or wealth. If Estella hadn’t been yanked into the degrading world of Miss. Havisham, she might have been better off. Even though Estella continuously hurts Pip, it is clear that she has no desire to do so. She constantly informs Pip that she has “no heart.” She is just as much of a victim as Pip is to Miss. Havisham’s torturous plans. At the end of the book she discovers herself for the first time stating “Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching...I have been bent and broken, but-I hope-into a better shape.” Clearly, Estella is an intricate character.