Just finished my first Dickens — Great Expectations
This book just hit me like a truck.
Firstly, this book has some of the most beautiful writing I have ever read; the prose is so dense, yet somehow maintains its fluidity. Each chapter I finished, I felt as if my brain had just gone for a very nice jog. I’m thinking that I might have become a “better” reader after this.
Second, Victorian England is a setting I can read about all day. I love the old-time language, the classism-themes, the gentlemen and ladies, the convicts. It’s strange because Charles Dickens creates this muddy atmosphere — I can almost hear the dirt squelching under my feet as he describes the marshes — and yet it’s also somehow so colorful. This is a book dripping with personality.
Third, the characters. Miss Havisham, Abel Magwitch, Joe Gargery (the man I aspire to be), Mr. Wopsle, Mr. Pumblechook, etc. etc. etc! Each one has their own distinct personality that is instantly recognizable. They each shine when they’re on the page and I hope that I one day write characters half as entertaining.
Fourth, and the topic I really want to talk about, Pip and Estella.
Man….where do I begin?
I guess I’ll start with that I see a lot of myself in Pip — I’ve been the type of guy to be embarrassed by family that has my back, even when I shouldn’t be. I’ve also distanced myself from people that cared for me in order to impress people that don’t care a wit about me. I’ve been pretentious and holier than thou before. Becoming aware of that, and growing beyond it, is a tough lesson to learn and Pip’s journey is a very humbling way to be reminded of that lesson. I found Pip relatable, frustrating, and tragic.
Especially in his relationship with Estella. She is so obviously cold and distant (perhaps even a touch manipulative) to him and yet he “loves” her (another embarrassing relation between Pip and I, “loving” women who aren’t reciprocating). His devotion to her and his proclamation of his love to her would be heartbreakingly romantic….if it wasn’t so obvious that she doesn’t return the feeling. When she announced that she would be married (to Drummle, no less!) my heart dropped to my stomach and put me right in PiP’s shoes.
However, if I may be so bold, I don’t think Pip really loves Estella.
To me, his “love” for Estella is rooted in one thing — that being shame. When he first goes to Miss Havisham’s, he is reminded that he’s poor, and how much that sucks, and he wants more than anything to be a gentleman. I think Estella is more of a symbol for Pip of wealth, status, etc. — it’s almost like she’s the most romanticized version of a trophy wife. So his “love” is more so desperation to not be poor than any actual tenderness between the two.
Which is why I’m not really “hateful” towards Estella. I saw an article titled “In defense of Estella” — and I haven’t read it (because I wasn’t finished with the book at the time), but that title alone tells me that Estella likely has some haters out there disparaging her.
I did think she was cold and distant, and I was certain that she didn’t love Pip…..
….but I also don’t think Pip loved her, at least not in a mature way.
Great Expectations, to me, is kind of a reality check for both of these characters — we bear witness to Pip’s reality check, but Estella’s happens in the background. She marries Drummle and he sucks — which is obvious to us, the reader who is absorbing the story from Pip’s completely unbiased and objective POV (sarcasm) — but she’s like a young woman, and I’m sure most women out there have dated a guy that sucks simply because they were young and lacked experience. Part of the story is her growing up, too.
Which is why I see the ending as hopeful. Pip and Estella have grown up, received their reality check, and are able to be more true to themselves when making romantic decisions. I’m a natural romantic at heart, so I like to think that they fell in TRUE love after the story ends, but I respect the ambiguous nature of the ending, AND WOULD LOVE TO HEAR DIFFERING OPINIONS (please disagree with me).
Anyway, Charles Dickens has gained another fan.
Thanks for reading.