Charles Dickens Adjustment

818 Words4 Pages
Being an idealist is always a positive thing. Everyone should aim for something to reach in their life, and set goals. However, everyone starts from something lower and often demeaning. In the novel Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Pip and Estella show how they begin in an inferior lifestyle and improve themselves to be better people over time. The characters act inconsiderate in the initiation of the story, disrespecting themselves and others. In order to transform into a truly nice person, one has to be a bully first. Pip, as a major character in the book, is a prime example of one overcoming their past misfortunes. At this point, he is a very conceited man. Pip began to feel ashamed by the people in his life because of their status.…show more content…
Estella is a character who displays this sort of adjustment. As she is first introduced in the story, her character is shown as unpleasant and detestable. “‘He calls the knaves, jacks, this boy!’ said Estella with disdain, before our first game was out.” (Dickens 70). As this was Pip’s first encounter with Estella, he felt intimidated by her. He obviously considers her much more refined than him, so Pip takes her opinion to heart. Although Estella is considered better, she has not been taught any proper manners of kindness. She is excessively cold and stone-hearted, giving her character more definition. Estella continuously hurts Pip by simply mocking him with her non-existent love. “In Mrs. Brandley’s house and out of Mrs.Brandley’s house, I suffered every kind and degree of torture that Estella could cause me...She made use of me to tease other admirers...No doubt my jealousy made an admirer of every one who went near her, but there were more than enough of them without that.” (Dickens 325). Estella knows what pain she’s giving Pip, and finds joy in it; in spite of Miss Havisham raising her like that. Her brutal demeanor happened to be a cover up for her true feelings. Once Estella breaks away from Miss Havisham’s control, she finds out what heartbreak really is. “...Now, when suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. I have been bent
Open Document