Great Expectations: Estella

Estella first appears in the 8^th chapter of the novel, however, the characters wasn’t mentioned in the story beforehand, adding an element of history to the character. The only implication of her features from this chapter is the slight mention of her brunette hair. Though her looks aren’t commented on a lot, her personality comes across very stuck-up and demanding. 

This image depicts Estella as a young girl, her appearance shows her to be very appropriately mannered, her expression also making her have a very controlling and strong presence. She comes across as a strictly raised child, in an environment of richness and royalty. She looks like a pretty young girl who could get her a way with a snap of her fingers.

Further into the story, long after Pip is no longer required by Miss Havisham and no longer sees Estella, he is called back to Satis house many years later, in chapter 29, this is the first encounter with Estella as a young adult. However, her appearance still isn’t explained in full detail, she is only referred to as very beautiful and bright. This leaves her overall look open to the readers imagination, a very slim guidance from the drawings of her in the illustrations along with the novel.

This image is also from later on in the story, showing Estella once she has grown into a young lady around or after chapter 29, her posture is very alluring and seductive, as her character is described. Her hair and clothing implies she is very well off, and makes her seem more beautiful than that of her already prominent beautiful facial features. This image shows that she is, indeed, a beautiful young woman overall, and adds a small sample of how she actually looks whereas the novel doesn’t say much to invoke the readers imagination towards a direct appearance.

Chapter 29 is where I will be basing my own look for Estella, this being because as a women, Estella would have more variety to her look through her hairstyles and gives me more chance to have an artistic freedom to her look. Also being a young adult it would be much easier to find a model best suited to her, rather than a child would also may not sit while whilst trying to create the look. Overall, I think the young adult Estella would portray her beauty and character more successfully than that of any other stage of the story.

Reference:

Charles Dickens (1996) Great Expectations. Penguin Classics. London.