Reading Assignment 3

Uncle Pumblechook escorted Pip to Miss Havisham's home to play, like he promised. Upon arrival a young girl, about Pip's age, named Estella, greets them. She leads only Pip to Miss Havisham, Uncle Pumblechook not being allowed in. The arrived in a strange room and see an odd woman wearing an old wedding gown, one white slipper, and flowers in her hair. Pip thinks Miss Havisham to be quite strange, not understanding why she was dressed in this attire. Miss Havisham mentions that her heart is broken and wants to see Pip play. This brings forth Estella to play cards with Pip. He soon notices that all of the clocks in the room are stopped at the same time and then realizes that her wedding was cancelled at exactly 8:40 while she was getting dressed in her room. Since that day, she has left everything exactly how it was that morning. She asks Pip what he thinks of Estella in reply, he states that she is proud, pretty and insulting. Miss Havisham wants Pip to love Estella, knowing that Estella won't want him. She wants Pip's heart to be broken, much like hers was. This is her way of punishing all men for what her previous fiance did to her. Pip was given permission to explore the yard and premises. It's easy to see that young Estella is pleased when Pip is upset and humiliated. While exploring the premises, Pip sees Miss Havisham strung on a wooden beam by her neck. Shocked and overflowing with fearful emotions, Pip ran. Upon returned he only sees Estella walking around the area he just saw Miss Havisham. This shows that even if the old woman dies her presence is still among them because Estella was raised in her footsteps. With Pip's disappointments, he returns home thinking how common he is. This is exactly what Miss Havisham wants and Estella's actions have made this possible for Pip. Though these actions are unmoral for this era, Miss Havisham was raised, as well as Estella, to be very proper. These ideas don't conform to the general idea of actions upon society. Dickens is showing that even though morality is somewhat present, it is not the complete way in which Miss Havisham & Estella live their lives.