In depth analysis of Estella

Estella

In the great expectations novel Estella is portrayed as a wealthy young girl who live with Miss Havisham who lives in Statis house. When her and Pip first meet, Estella appears quite intimidating and judgmental with a spoilt brat attitude. However the more she starts to get to know Pip the more she likes him , although she doesn't like to show it . Estella and Miss Havisham have quite a close bond, this may have been due to Miss Havisham adopting Estella and raising her as her own wen she was young, Miss Havisham however moulds Estella into a weapon of rejection against love due to being conned on her wedding day by he man she idolised as a result she made Estella develop rejection against Pips feelings for her.

As Estella grows into a young women her and Pips become closer as friends and due to her astonishing beauty Pips love begins to develop towards her, however to Pips horror Estella marries wealthy Bentley Drummle who becomes abusive towards her.

After the death of Miss Havisham  Magwitch who is found out to be Estellas father  and Bentley Drummle Pip and Estella reunite again and form a close friendship.

Here are a few quotes which convey to the reader Estella's personality and the relationship between Pip and Estella.

page 71 Estella ' you here to see Miss Havisham'
Mr Pumblechook ' if she wishes to see me'
Estella 'she doesn't' This conveys to the reader as a child Estella was quite outspoken and rude, mirroring Miss Havisham

page 72 ' don't be ridiculous boy im not going in' By calling Pip a boy conveys to the reader she doesn't think very highly of him and is a very intimidating young girl.

page 78 ' what do you play boy' By calling Pip a boy conveys to the reader she feels she is in charge and is able to be demanding towards him. Her treatment towards Pip also mirrors Miss Havisham's personality.

age 108 'am I pretty '
'am I insulting'
'you cores little monster what do you think of me now'
'why don't you cry again you little wretch '
These quotes from the novel convey she thinks quite highly of herself, and is very spiteful towards pip

page 122' you can kiss me if you like' This quote conveys to the audience that she feels quite highly about herself and that she is better than anyone else.

page 408 ' mother by adoption' When Estella turns into a young women, the conversation with Miss Havisham conveys there relationship is starting to drift. This quote I feel has a big impact on the reader and is a real powerful statement.

page 648 ' I have often thought of you' The quote used towards the end of the novel when Estella and Pip meet again conveys her development of feelings towards him and that her emotionless guard is starting to break down , mirroring Miss Havishams Image.

after analysing the quotes I feel Estella is a character which has been created to mirror Miss Havisham.

After reading the great expectations novel and watching several interpretations of the film, I created a brainstorm of how Estella Is portrayed in terms of appearance and attitude. Estella  as a young women Is portrayed as perfect and beautiful through the eyes of Miss Havisham and pip, therefore I imagine her hair should be styled as a neat and tidy Victorian up do , and her makeup should appear as subtle and natural to exaggerate her beauty. Estella was also pictured as quite wealthy and elegant therefore I could imagine her to wear flower decoration in her hair and long gowns.

When Estella was a child she was portrayed as quite spoilt and rude this also highlights her wealthy background meaning her hair and appearance should be neat an tidy.

 

How is Estella interpreted in the great expectations films

Anonymous. (unknown). Estella great expectations. Available: https://www.pinterest.com/annagarner332/estella-great-expectations/. Last accessed 16/03/15

 

In the earliest interpretation of the Great expectations film Estella  as a child is portrayed as a natural beauty with a simple Victorian hairstyle with a centre parting and hair sleeked back off her face . Estella Is portrayed almost like a porcelain dolls her posture is elegant and her attitude comes across as intimidating posh and wealthy. The gown she is seen  wearing with the lace collar also highlights her wealthy background.

 

dailymail reporter. (14/01/12). great expectations Gillian Anderson leads an all star cast in daily festive adaption. Available: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2064629/GREAT-Expectations-Gillian-Anderson-leads-star-cast-BBCs-festive-adaptation-Charles-Dickens-classic.html. Last accessed 16/03/15..

 

The young Estella character in the BBC series starring Gillian Anderson also conveys her wealthy background, her posture , facial experiences and elegant lace gloves also conveys her attitude as spoilt. Estella is interpreted as natural and elegant, her complexion is pale and her makeup is subtle. Her hair is also neat and tidy with a prominent centre parting and a Victorian style plaited bun with accessories situated around the bun/

 

Anonymous. (unknown). Estella great expecttions. Available: https://www.pinterest.com/annagarner332/estella-great-expectations/. Last accessed 16/03/15

 

The 2012 Great expectations directed by Mike Newel also portrays Estella as a child who comes from a wealthy background in terms of her clothing . The Estella in the 2012 version appears less rude and intimidating in comparison to other interpretations I have researched. Her hair is also styled as a centre parting and long loose curls.

 

Anonymous. (unknown). Estella great expecttions. Available: https://www.pinterest.com/annagarner332/estella-great-expectations/. Last accessed 16/03/15

 

The BBC version of the great expectations portrays Estella as a wealthy elegant young women. In terms of her posture and clothing, her makeup also appears quite subtle her complexion is pale and a small amount of colour has been applied to the cheekbones. Estella's hair in the BBC series is also portrayed as a later Victorian hairstyle due to it being portrayed as more elaborate.

Anonymous. (unknown). Estella great expecttions. Available: https://www.pinterest.com/annagarner332/estella-great-expectations/. Last accessed 16/03/15

 

The Estella in the 2012 version of the Great expectations directed by Mike Newell's is also portrayed as an elegant and natural young women with a wealthy background. The gown she is pictured wearing I feel looks a little modern and the hair is styled as a more elaborated late Victorian hairstyle due to there being no centre parting and the hair being sleeked back of the face. The Makeup is also subtle, the complexion is pale and a small amount of colour has been applied to the cheeks.

 

character styling

I feel that when recreating the character through production styling , the complexion should be portrayed as pale, however in order to highlight Estellas mannerisms such as her elegance and wealth the convex areas o the face should be highlighted to create a strong jawline and cheekbones , I also feel that by add a highlighter to the lighter areas of the face will also help to soften the face and make Estella appear more elegant .

 

Estella is known as a wealthy and elegant women this can be brought out through character styling also, by adding a costume gown or a form of jewellery such as a chocker or jewelled necklace.

In order to compliment the make I would suggest styling the hair as an updo would work well such as an Apollo knot . The things to consider when creating the hair is the style in relation to the period of time for example if you are creating Estella as a young women this will be during the mid to late part of the Victorian period where the hairstyles were much more elaborate and sleek, whereas if you are creating Estella as a child this may be during the mid Victorian part of the period.

Overall I feel my character design will convey to an audience that Estella is a wealthy young Victorian women who is elegant and a natural beauty.