Free Essays - Great Expectations :: Great Expectations Essays

There were several themes associated with the novel Great Expectations.  One of the most fascinating themes dealt with press and how it compares to and relates to love ( crushed leather).  Infatuation is basically an obsession, or extravagant affection towards a person (Webster, 667).  There is really no definite reason behind their passion, therefore this feeling is a lot short in duration and indicative of faulty judgement (Webster, 667).  The person doesnt know what these feelings mean, this is normally why they mistake it for love.  Love, on the other hand, is an intense adoring concern for another person (Webster, 772).  It is a more selfless and settled feeling.  You notify compare the difference between love and infatuation with the cliche all that glitters is not gold, the glitter illusion being infatuation and the gold being love, the real thing.  As a person grows and experiences their feelings with many other people, the distinction be tween love and infatuation bugger offs more clear.  This is because the person can compare feelings they have experienced in the past, with their present feelings. In Great Expectations we see how dissipates infatuation for Estella is short in duration (Webster, 667), as most infatuations are.  Despite the fact that Estella is arrogant and rude, Pip is not only infatuated with her beauty and wealth, but overly almost envies it.  In fact the humiliation Estella puts Pip through, causes Pip to feel very lowly of himself and the way he has been brought up.  This causes Pips expectations to change from expecting to be Joes blacksmith apprentice, to studying to become a gentlemen noticed and admired by Estella.  As years pass, Estella 2continues to play with Pips heart, and Pip continues to unconditionally have feelings for her.  Later, Estella marries a man named Bently Drummle, only create Pip to, yet again, confess his love to Estella.  Estella tell s Pip I know what you mean as form of words, but nothing more.  (Dickens, 892)  This basically means that Estella can hear what Pip is telling her, but she doesnt see how he could love her.  Regardless of that, and the fact that Estella is to be married, Pip still continues to fantasize about Estella.  Soon, Pip starts to learn more about her, and her past, through Miss Havisham.  These talks with Pip helps make Miss Havisham into a kinder and happier person.  Feeling that he cannot have Estella, and that the world more or less him has changed, Pip decides to propose to Biddy.