Great Expectations Estella Havisham Quotes

Estella Havisham > Pip

Quote 1

"It is a part of Miss Havisham's plans for me, Pip," said Estella, with a sigh, as if she were tired; "I am to write to her constantly and see her regularly, and report how I go on—I and the jewels—for they're nearly all mine now." (33.58)

Miss Havisham may claim that she never planned to ruin Estella's life, but it sure seems like she tried to. Check out the way Estella and the jewels seems to be one and the same.

"At least I was no party to the compact," said Estella, "for if I could walk and speak, when it was made, it was as much as I could do. But what would you have? You have been very good to me, and I owe everything to you. What would you have?" "Love," replied the other. "You have it." "I have not," said Miss Havisham. (2.38.36-39)

Having raised Estella, bought her pretty things, given her all her jewels, Miss Havisham expects Estella to love her in return—but she's seriously misjudged the nature of love, just like she did when she was getting ready to marry a con artist.

Estella Havisham > Pip

Quote 3

"Don't be afraid of my being a blessing to him," said Estella; "I shall not be that. Come! Here is my hand. Do we part on this, you visionary boy—or man?" (44.65)

Estella may pretend that she never thinks about Pip, but it sounds like she's actually been keeping quite the eye on him. The "visionary boy" is the boy who continues to hope she will requite his love. The man in Pip is he who is wise enough to give up and to recognize that Estella can't be won nor melted. Which one is Pip? We're not sure, and we don't think he is, either.