I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be.
― Great Expectations, Charles Dickens
This quote comes from Charles Dickens’s novel “Great Expectations,” published in 1861. The speaker is Pip, the protagonist of the story, who is expressing his deep and enduring love for Estella.
Estella is a beautiful but emotionally distant woman whom Pip has loved since childhood, despite her being raised to break men’s hearts as part of Miss Havisham’s revenge against the male gender for her own jilted love.
Pip’s declaration of love for Estella is complex and filled with contradictions.
He acknowledges that his love for her defies logic and self-interest, suggesting it goes against “reason, promise, peace, hope, happiness,” and any discouragement he faces.
This love is portrayed as an overwhelming force that persists despite the lack of encouragement and the negative consequences it brings to his life.
This quote reflects the novel’s exploration of the themes of unrequited love, social class, and the pursuit of self-improvement.
Pip’s love for Estella is a central driving force in his life, motivating many of his actions and decisions, including his desire to rise above his humble beginnings and become a gentleman.
His love is portrayed as self-destructive and unreciprocated, highlighting the pain and suffering that often accompany unrequited feelings.
Moreover, Dickens uses Pip’s love for Estella to critique the societal norms and values of Victorian England, particularly the obsession with wealth and social status.
“Great Expectations” is a bildungsroman, or coming-of-age novel, that follows Pip’s life from childhood to adulthood.
The narrative examines Pip’s moral and psychological growth as he navigates his love for Estella, his desire for social advancement, and his eventual disillusionment with the shallow values of the upper class.
Estella, as the object of Pip’s affection, represents the unattainable ideal, shaped by Miss Havisham’s manipulations and her own complex background.
Pip’s realization that his love for Estella is against all odds and reason is a pivotal moment in his development, marking a deeper understanding of his own emotions and the complexities of human relationships.
This quote captures the complex and sometimes irrational nature of love. It highlights how love can make us prioritize passion over reason and happiness.
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