2. The comparison of name to face of: Estella
Where it's from:
The name Estella comes from the Latin "Stella" meaning star, the a on the end was added to Estelle to make it a more feminine name in the Dickens novel. In the middle ages in Europe, this name was an unpopular one, many give credit to Great Expectations for "bringing it back" and reviving the name's popularity.
Why her?:
In the Novel, Estella was given the name to further emphasize her features. Dickens, being the master of exaggeration he was, gave her this name for a reason. Estella in the book, is Miss Havisham's star, her own little pretty thing to look at. Stars also, tend to be quite literally, a light in the dark. In Pip's personal dark, blacksmith world, Estella is that ray of light that shines through Pip's ordinary unexciting life.
Description from the text:
"'I think she is very proud,' I replied, in a whisper. 'Anything else?' 'I think she is very pretty' 'Anything else?' 'I think she is very insulting.'"
Here in the text is Pip's description of Estella to Miss Havisham, you can see how he places her on a pedestal, yet is still frustrated by her.
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I am qualifying your argument. Not only does Estella's name reveal her features, but it also reveals her personality traits (especially her arrogance). Many celebrities (also known as movie STARS) are stuck up, just like Estella is. For example, she scoffs at the way Pip plays cards and the names that he gives some of the cards (he calls knaves "jacks"). Estella thinks that Pip's ways are too commoner and low-class and that her ways are the best and superior to his. In essence, she is full of herself, which makes her an arrogant person (exactly like many movie stars).
ReplyDeleteI to am qualifying your argument. The name 'Estella' really reveals who she really is. This beautiful light beacon in the dark shadows of the Havisham house and also a beacon in Pip's ordinary life. I also qualify Nicks argument, Estella is like movie stars, she is put up on a pedestal to admire but you know that she is someone that Pip can never attain. She is meant for others to stare at and fawn over, but really, they are just a picture that you can never attain. Estella is truly full of herself, insulting Pip, calling him names, making him feel like a tiny insect compared to the large star that is Estella.
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