First, tell us what realizations have occurred for each character and what the immediate ramifications of those realizations were.
Second, predict for each character how these realizations might change them. Essentially, where do Pip and Estella go from here.
Estella has realized she is incapable of love and is cold hearted. Looking at her conversation with Ms. Havisham, "' You stock and stone!' exclaimed Ms. Havisham. 'You cold, cold heart!' 'What?'said Estella, preserving her attitude of indifference as she leaned against the chimney-piece and only moving her eyes; 'do you reproach me for being cold? You?'" (304) Estella realizes that Ms. Havisham caused her to be cold, and her inner emotions have been awakened. She doesn't completely get angry at Ms. Havisham, but she still yells at her, blaming her for causing her to be cold hearted. So she realizes this.
Pip realizes his expectations aren't so great. Finally meeting his benefactor, the convict with the file, he realizes he isn't going to become a gentleman and marry Estella. "...Estella not meant for me..." (323)
Pip will probably search for some new answer, maybe possibly by going back home, and talk with Joe and Biddy for advice. Or ask Mr. Jaggers for some advice or ask Mr. Wemmick.
Estella will probably still go on with life as she always had, but with a slightly different view on relationships.
I am qualifying your argument. I agree that Estella will have a slightly different view on relationships, but I also think that she will leave Ms. Havisham. Estella is a very unkind person. For example, when Pip tells her that he loves her, she has a very mocking response, claiming that she has never cared for him. Then, to insult Pip even more, she says that she's going to marry Drummle, knowing that this will upset Pip. This example shows vulgarity and cold-heartedness, and people with these traits (like Estella) cannot stand to be controlled by others, as they lack the patience and security. Now that Estella has realized that Ms. Havisham has been controlling her and her emotions, I believe that she will leave her.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Estella realizes that her upbringing with Miss Havisham has caused her to to have a cold and rather heartless outlook toward love and men in general. I believe that Estella does not realize that these are traits that are within her. She feels that these traits were caused by Miss Havisham and she is somehow blameless in their creation.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the realization but I believe Estella has always realized this in a sense. She warns Pip previously not to look for a heart in a vessel that was raised with out one. She did not realize her coldness during her argument with Havisham, she has always known it.
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