Estella Havisham

fictional character

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July 20, 2026

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Estella Havisham is a fictional character from Charles Dickens's novel Great Expectations. She is the adopted daughter of Miss Havisham, a woman driven to madness after being jilted on her wedding day. Miss Havisham raises Estella with the intention of her tormenting men with her beauty.12

Pip, the novel's protagonist, encounters Estella and falls in love with her, though she does not reciprocate his feelings. Estella is portrayed as beautiful but cold and proud, and she eventually marries the unpleasant Bentley Drummle. It is later revealed that Estella is the daughter of Abel Magwitch, the convict Pip helped in his youth, and that Compeyson was Miss Havisham's former lover.2

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Great Expectations
Summary
…House is her adopted daughter, Estella, whom she is teaching to torment men with her beauty. Pip, at first cautious, later falls in love with Estella, who does not return his affection. He grows increasing ashamed of his humble background and hopes to become a gentleman, in part to win…
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…House is her adopted daughter, Estella, whom she is teaching to torment men with her beauty. Pip, at first cautious, later falls in love with Estella, who does not return his affection. He grows increasing ashamed of his humble background and hopes to become a gentleman, in part to win…
Read More