How Does Dickens Present Pip's Treatment Of Women

In Great Expectations, Charles Dickens explores how the connection of love goes beyond the woman herself but with the potential she carries. Mrs. Joe, Miss Havisham and Estella are some of the women that play a substantial part in Pip’s process into becoming a gentleman. The three woman create an immeasurable connection with Pip. Mrs. Joe although did not respect him the proper way, was like a mother to Pip. Miss Havisham has a distinctive type of love for Pip. Miss Havisham was certain Pip would fall in love with Estella when he met her because of her allure. Unfortunately, Miss Havisham raised Estella to be impolite towards all men. With their own way of personally connecting with Pip along with their potential and control, the woman in

Joe was like a mother figure to him, sadly his biological parents passed away when he was young. She cared and look out for him. Mrs. Joe “brought [Pip] up by hand” by raising Pip that way, he became accustomed to the mistreatment (6). Mrs. Joe is the complete opposite of how a mother should be with their children. Mrs. Joe treated Pip harsh and manipulated him as if he had no value. Pip broke that chain and proved Mrs. Joe wrong when he moved to London and left Kent and began to have an erudite life. After Mrs. Joe was injured by Orlick she had no control over Pip anymore. Pip could not face seeing his sister suffer, regardless of how she treated him, she was his sister and he loved her which hurt him seeing her in that position. Although, Pip was crushed after losing his sister, he was also glad that he no longer had to suffer from her abusive

Her feelings and motions towards men were finite, she couldn't love anyone. “ Her light came along the dark passage like a star,” to Pip what was shining was Estella and not the candles (62). At that moment, her charm had conquered her distressing character. Estella did not confess her feelings towards Pip, ever. Although, Miss Havisham had filled her head with things, Pip was certain that Estella had a heart and feelings. “I have no softness [in my heart], no- sympathy- sentiment- nonsense,” Estella knew how to lie and hide how she really felt from others (252). After Miss Havisham was gone, Estella finally was herself and not who Miss Havisham wanted and told her to