What Does Estella Represent?

Estella, the character created by Charles Dickens, in his novel "Great Expectations," is a complex and multi-dimensional character that represents several themes and ideas. Estella can be analyzed through the lens of literature as an embodiment of several literary devices, including symbolism, allegory, and character archetypes. Estella is considered essential to the development of the novel's protagonist, Pip, and her character symbolism and allegorical representation can be linked back to the novel's broader themes of social class, love, and redemption. Estella's character symbolism in "Great Expectations" is represented largely through her name. The name Estella is derived from the Spanish word for star, and in the novel, she is described frequently as a "cold star." She also represents personal dissatisfactin despite upward social mobility.

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