Miss Havisham Women
Although the Victorian era was a significant time for development as far as technology and science were concerned, the same cannot be said for the position of women in society. Whereas in previous centuries people would typically find employment within the confines of their own property (and it was therefore reasonable that women would handle some lesser duties in the interest of helping their families and decreasing the workload) the dawn of industrialisation saw a rise in the number of men going out to find better-paid work in factories and offices. As men increasingly disassociated themselves with the home, the divide between the sexes became more apparent, and dialogue began to surface over whether or not women were capable of undertaking
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Estella Havisham was raised as a lady, but she is still treated as a possession by the men in her life and by her own adopted mother. Though Pip’s intentions are largely innocent, he has always seen her as the ideal, an unattainable object that is the epitome of refined social status, the claiming of which would reflect his own upward social mobility. It can be inferred that this is the reason his affection for her does not wane, even though she is undeniably cruel to him. Miss Havisham’s treatment of Estella differs in that she treats her like a doll, shaping her into an instrument of vengeance, as well as the person she wishes she could have been: a beauty with a heart cold enough to protect her from the callous behaviour of men. Although as a child Estella understandably does not challenge Miss Havisham’s way of raising her, as an adult she seems aware of how her influence has affected her personal growth, stating, “I am what you have made of me. Take all the praise, take all the blame” . ... even though Miss Havisham resents men and the role they have played in ruining her life, she has still designed her daughter to directly appeal to them with her education and good looks – another fact of which Estella is keenly aware: “All that you have given me is at your command to have again. Beyond that, I have
Estella Havisham was raised as a lady, but she is still treated as a possession by the men in her life and by her own adopted mother. Though Pip’s intentions are largely innocent, he has always seen her as the ideal, an unattainable object that is the epitome of refined social status, the claiming of which would reflect his own upward social mobility. It can be inferred that this is the reason his affection for her does not wane, even though she is undeniably cruel to him. Miss Havisham’s treatment of Estella differs in that she treats her like a doll, shaping her into an instrument of vengeance, as well as the person she wishes she could have been: a beauty with a heart cold enough to protect her from the callous behaviour of men. Although as a child Estella understandably does not challenge Miss Havisham’s way of raising her, as an adult she seems aware of how her influence has affected her personal growth, stating, “I am what you have made of me. Take all the praise, take all the blame” . ... even though Miss Havisham resents men and the role they have played in ruining her life, she has still designed her daughter to directly appeal to them with her education and good looks – another fact of which Estella is keenly aware: “All that you have given me is at your command to have again. Beyond that, I have