AQA GCSE English Literature Paper 1 - Great Expectations - The characters of Estella and Pip

This is a 9-page (2484 words) student handout which analyses the characters of Estella and Pip from Dickens’ masterpiece “Great Expectations”.

It would be useful for study at any point in the novel and would be particularly appropriate for revision.

The document is structured as follows:

Here’s a summary of the document:

• The analysis of Estella and Pip in Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations” explores their complex characters, relationships, and the broader themes they represent.
• Estella’s Enigmatic Beauty: Estella is introduced as a beautiful yet aloof character, described through Pip’s eyes as having “delicately transparent” skin and “proud eyes”.
• Estella’s Duality: Estella is both a victim of Miss Havisham’s manipulation and an independent individual aware of her emotional shortcomings, creating a complex duality in her character.
• Growth and Redemption: Estella undergoes significant development, showing signs of remorse and a desire for redemption by the end of the novel, reflecting Dickens’ theme of personal growth.
• Pip’s Aspirations: Pip’s desire to become a gentleman is driven by his infatuation with Estella and his encounters with Miss Havisham, leading him to yearn for social status and wealth.
• Pip’s Moral Growth: Pip’s journey reflects his growing self-awareness and moral integrity, ultimately valuing loyalty and modesty over wealth and status by the novel’s end.