Great Expectations Essay

In Charles Dickens' Great Expectations, there are three people that help Pip make and decide his future. The first of these characters is Joe, the loving young man, who cares for Pip very much. Second, is Estella, the attractive, cold-hearted, haughty young lady who Pip falls in love with. Last, is Miss Havisham, the lady who raised Estella, and taught her to hurt all men, and break their heart. These three people have a lot to do with Pip's future.

Joe married Pip's sister, Mrs. Joe. Joe tolerated all of Mrs. Joe's meanness just to be with Pip, even though Pip does not show love towards Joe. He is satisfied working as a blacksmith and has pride in himself. He believes in honesty, and he always treats people politely. An example of how Joe treats people, is at the beginning of the story, when Pip's criminal is caught and in custody, the criminal says "Than I'm sorry to say, I've eat you're pie," and Joe says, "God knows you're welcome to it-so far as it was ever mine."(Pg. 37) Joe helps and stands up for Pip and is always with Pip when needed. Joe is one of the characters in this story that Pip will always remember.

Estella is the young lady who Pip falls in love with. She has been taught, by Miss Havisham, to hurt the entire male race. Estella says that her heart is cold and bitter. When Estella wants something, she usually gets it. She is fond of having men around her and admiring her beauty. She marries Pip's rival, Mr. Drummle, who treats her very badly. When Estella and Pip meet again, it is at the Satis House, Estella has learned how to love, and learned what it feels like to be hurt. Estella is the character in this story that made Pip want to become a gentleman.

Miss Havisham hates the male's race also. She had Pip come to her house and play cards with Estella, when he was young boy. She also, made Estella hurt Pip. An example of how she hurts Pip, and makes him ashamed of himself is when she says, "He calls them knaves jacks, this boy! And what coarse hands he has! And what thick boots!"(Pg. 57) She took Estella's heart, and taught her to have no feelings at all. Miss Havisham persuades Pip to tell her what he thinks of Estella, and then taunts him. She tells Pip to love Estella and makes Estella physically attract Pip. Miss Havisham pushes Estella to the limit, and ends up hurting Estella and herself as well. Miss Havisham is the one person, in the story that can honestly be called evil. Pip continues his visits, until he is apprenticed to Joe.

In conclusion to this essay, you can see why these characters, emotionally, mentally and physically, controlled Pip's life. This book was, in general, great but a little difficult for me because in the first six to seven chapters the book did not make much sense to me. But once I got farther in the book it got a whole lot interesting. For my overall rating, I give Charles