Now, About Pip And Estella!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             I have recently spent the summer reading 19th Century novels, or novels related to that period.  In order, I began with "Jonathan Strange And Mr. Norvell," by Susanna Clarke, continued with "Wide Sargasso Sea," by Jean Rhys, then followed it up with "Jane Eyre," by Chalotte Bronte, then sister Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights, which, after 10 readings, is still my favorite; next came "Great Expectations," by Charles Dickens, "Frankenstein," by Mary Shelley, and, lastly, "The Turn Of The Screw," by Henry James.  The novels are all the more extraordinary because who would have expected such work from two parsonage daughters, a teenage girl, and a man accustomed to writing novels of manners?

                              On what I think was my fourth reading of "Great Expectations," I have come to the conclusion that Dickens was right.  This novel was famous for having two endings--one where Pip and Estella find love, the other where they go their separate ways.  Dickens wanted the latter, but his publisher insisted the public would want former, so he wrote it that way, However, reading the last sentence in the novel, it can be taken two ways.  And I prefer the Dickensian.

                                 It is so easy to dismiss Estella as a bitch, but she is more than that.  She is a victim; the real manipulative bitch has been Miss Havisham, who has mistakenly raised her to have no empathy or feelings, thereby, in her eyes, enabling Estella to wreak her (Miss H's) vengeance upon the male sex, but in reality, deprives Estella permanently of any lasting love because she simply cannot comprehend it.  A lifetime cannot be changed.   Estella is the only main character to not learn and gain self-awareness, as do Pip and Miss Havisham; the latter tragically dying shortly afterwards.  It is clear Estella will end up reclusive and alone, just like Miss Havisham.  Only she has no one to blame but herself.

                                   Pip, on the other hand, learns so much, about entitlement and how money does not necessarily get one anywhere.  He learns empathy to those less fortunate, as he cares for Magwitch at the end, and repents of his condescension to Biddy and Joe.  And, in a way, to his sister.  Pip moves on from Estella to work with Herbert in India.  He has moved on, and by far has become a better person for his experiences; while he and Estella may cross paths again in life, they will never be united as a married couple, now that Pip fully understands Estella's incapabilities.  And it is these that make her not a bitch but a tragic figure.

                                    Pip and Estella made me think of a literary couple of a later time of publication--Scarlett and Rhett.  Readers always want, in "GWTW," to see them get back together.  All through the story, Scarlett, in her obsession to survive, abandons empathy and self-awareness.  She begins to learn them at the end, but she is too late; Rhett has been burned enough times, and is determined to move on, as he should.  Scarlett, like Estella, will live alone, see that Beau, Melanie's son gets what he wants, and may, as Vivien Leigh herself said become "a much better woman."  But I agree with those who said she will never get Rhett back.  Even Vivien Leigh herself said that, and she should know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    While there is more to Scarlett than Estella both are tragic figures who end up alone.  There may still be hope for Scarlett, but there never will be for Estella.

                                     Both Dickens and Margaret Mitchell (with a little help from Thackeray) said it right the first time.  Let these authors have the last word on their characters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!