Estella in "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens

Estella, with her long brown hair and her beautiful complex was admired by many. While she was perceived as a beautiful young woman by Pip, Estella, Miss Havisham’s adopted daughter in the novel Great Expectations, was cold hearted due to Miss Havisham’s broken heart, not of her choosing. Estella, Pip’s love interest, shows her cold- heartedness both as a young girl and young woman. Estella stated “You must know that I have no heart” (Dickens ) to Pip the first time they met, revealing her cruel nature.

In many cases Estella manipulates boys’ minds leaving them confused and defenseless. For example when she kisses Pip on one of their first visits, Pip’s love towards her grows. However, Estella continues to be cruel towards him by acting as if the kiss was meaningless. As she grows older Estella’s cruelty continues towards Pip, and right when Pip thought he might have had a chance, Estella was already married. Estella’s wicked ways towards Pip proves she is cold-hearted, but instead of running away he continues to be utterly in love with her.

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This hard heart was not inborn but instead it was developed from a young age. Estella is cruel and she was raised to be this way. Prior to her wedding, broken-hearted Miss Havisham adopted Estella. And the older Estella grew, the more she was taught to despise those of the opposite gender. For example when Pip had come over to play cards with Estella, Miss Havisham whispered into Eestella's ear to break his heart.

As the same message to be cruel carried on throughout her childhood, it no longer was what she needed to act as, but it was what she had become. Estella’s appearances may fool people but her cruelness overpowers her beauty in many ways. Although she may not have chosen to be this way, her cold- hearted thoughts and comments still hurt the people that love her, especially Pip. Estella may be kind at times but overall she is cold-hearted and very cruel to most people, leaving her despised by most.