Carefully read the excerpt from the novel Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. Then, write a well-crafted five-paragraph essay in which you analyze the development of Miss Havisham’s character. Include details from the text to support your analysis. You may also wish to discuss prose elements like point of view, tone, figurative language, setting, and symbolism.

Answer 1

In the novel Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Miss Havisham is a complex character whose development is shaped by her tragic past and her obsession with vengeance. At the beginning of the novel, Miss Havisham is introduced as a wealthy and eccentric woman who lives in a decaying mansion called Satis House. She is described as being dressed in a bridal gown and surrounded by the remnants of a wedding that never happened. This setting is important in understanding Miss Havisham’s character, as it symbolizes her own frozen state of being stuck in the past.

As the novel progresses, we learn more about Miss Havisham’s backstory and the events that have led her to become the embittered recluse she is. She was jilted on her wedding day by her fiancé Compeyson, which caused her to become deeply resentful and seek revenge on all men. This traumatic event is the catalyst for her twisted treatment of Estella, whom she raises to break men’s hearts as retribution for her own heartbreak. Miss Havisham’s obsession with revenge consumes her, causing her to become cold, manipulative, and emotionally stunted.

The narrative point of view in Great Expectations is first person, as the story is told from the perspective of the protagonist Pip. This viewpoint allows the reader to experience Miss Havisham’s character development through Pip’s interactions with her. As Pip becomes entangled in Miss Havisham’s web of manipulation, we see her true nature revealed through his eyes. The tone surrounding Miss Havisham is one of melancholy and despair, reflecting her own internal suffering and longing for the past.

Throughout the novel, Miss Havisham’s character undergoes a transformation as she begins to confront the consequences of her actions. When Estella rejects Pip and marries Drummle, Miss Havisham realizes the harm she has caused and experiences a moment of self-awareness and regret. This moment of clarity is a turning point in her character development, as she recognizes the futility of her revenge and the need for redemption. Miss Havisham’s ultimate act of contrition, when she begs Pip for forgiveness on her deathbed, shows her capacity for change and growth.

In conclusion, Miss Havisham is a complex character whose development is shaped by her traumatic past, her obsession with revenge, and her eventual realization of the harm she has caused. Through the use of symbolism, setting, and tone, Charles Dickens portrays Miss Havisham as a tragic figure who is ultimately redeemed through self-awareness and repentance. Her character serves as a cautionary tale about the corrosive effects of bitterness and the power of forgiveness. Dickens masterfully crafts Miss Havisham’s arc to demonstrate the transformative nature of self-reflection and the possibility of redemption, even in the face of great pain and suffering.