This is a presentation that analyzes the rhetorical choices as well as the underlying theme of Chapter 38 of Great Expectations, a novel published in 1860 by Charles Dickens. The presentation explores the motives of characters such as Pip and Estella as well as provides a summary of the chapter overall in its entirety in the context of the whole book and beyond the text. The book is a must-read and a classic by Dickens, and explores the life of Pip as he transforms from a poor lifestyle to a lavish one.
2. SUMMARY
• Pip visits Estella often in Richmond where she lives in Mrs. Brandley, Miss
Havisham’s old friend’s, house.
• Pip doesn’t feel happy when he is with Estella but still dreams of marrying her
even though she constantly warns him not to love her.
• Pip assumes he is affianced to Estella and therefore tries not to make advances.
• One day, Pip escorts Estella to the Satis House on Miss Havisham’s request.
• Miss Havisham gloats about all of Estella’s admirers but flies into a rage when
Estella pulls her hand away.
• Estella informs Havisham that she can’t love her because she was never given any
and that Havisham made her the way she is. The next day, Pip sees Estella knitting
for Havisham like nothing happened.
• During a Finches of the Grove meeting, Drummle toasts to Estella. Pip challenges
that Drummle doesn’t even know her, but Drummle pulls out a note from Estella.
• After a ball in Richmond, Pip expresses his concern and jealousy that Estella is
giving her attention to someone like Drummle. Estella tells him she is deceiving
him, something she does to all her admirers except Pip.
3. PIP’S CHOICES
• Pip’s decision to not court Estella shows a
positive change in his generosity towards
others. However, Pip is still unable to get past
his feelings and heed Estella’s warnings.
• Pip’s confrontation with Drummle makes Pip
even more jealous and shocked. He can’t
fathom how Estella would give more attention
to Drummle, which makes him feel like he is
insignificant to her.
• Pip’s choice to express his feelings towards
Estella after the ball changes his view of Estella.
He realizes that Estella is being truthful and
that her efforts to stop Pip’s advances are well
intentioned. This, however, still doesn’t satisfy
Pip.
4. RELATIONSHIPS
Pip and Estella:
• The events in this chapter positively impact Pip and Estella’s relationship. Pip learns that Estella still cares
enough about him to be honest towards Pip and warn him not to love her.
Pip and Miss Havisham:
• Pip’s visit to Miss Havisham’s house has negatively affected their relationship. Through Miss Havisham’s eager
obsession and gloating, Pip sees that Estella was a tool used by Miss Havisham to take revenge on men,
including himself.
Pip and Drummle:
• During the Finches of the Grove meeting, Pip and Drummle’s already unpleasant relationship was negatively
affected. Drummle’s announcement that he is acquainted with Estella and Pip’s accusation that he is lying only
fuels Pip’s jealousy and disdain towards Drummle.
5. THEME
• Theme topic: Karma
• You reap what you sow
• From the day Estella was adopted, Miss Havisham taught her to be cold and break
men’s hearts to get her revenge after her fiancée walked out on the wedding. As a
result, Estella is not able to love anyone, even Miss Havisham. Therefore, Miss
Havisham is forced to face the consequences of her own actions as her plan to
“protect” Estella from what she had experienced in the past backfires.
6. STYLE
Personification:
• “From Estella she looked at me, with a searching glance that seemed to
pry into my heart and probe its wounds” (Dickens 302).
• By personifying Havisham’s glance, it emphasizes her eagerness and
obsession to exact her revenge on Pip and see how his heart has been
broken.
Metaphor:
• “‘…if you had taught her, from the dawn of her intelligence, with your
utmost energy and might, that there was such a thing as daylight, but that
it was made to be her enemy and destroyer, and she must always turn
against it, for it had blighted you and would else blight her—if you had
done this, and then, for a purpose, had wanted her to take naturally to the
daylight and she could not do it, you would have been disappointed and
angry?’” (306).
• Estella’s comparison of sunlight to love reveals the flaw in Miss Havisham’s
plan. She was always taught to not love, and therefore is also unable to
love Miss Havisham.
Metaphor:
• “So, the Spider, doggedly watching Estella, outwatched many brighter
insects, and would often uncoil himself and drop at the right nick of time”
(310).
• A metaphor is implemented to compare Drummle to a spider. This is
important because it characterizes him as a predator and potential
antagonist. It also distinguishes Drummle from the rest of Estella’s
admirers.
Hyperbole:
• “She had admirers without end. No doubt my jealousy made an admirer
of every one who went near her; but there were more than enough of
them without that” (300-301).
• This hyperbole is used to express the great amount of admirers Estella
has. This shows the extent of Estella’s beauty and how Pip feels
insignificant.
