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Great Expectations - Powerful Themes In The Novel

GREAT EXPECTATIONS. (Charles Dickens)
By Anne Gilmour.   November 1996.
       
      Of the major themes from Charles Dickens novel "Great
Expectations" to be discussed as to their importance
concerning its structure, I have selected "Love" in the
context of human relationships, "Isolation" and finally
"Redemption". The loneliness isolation brings can only be
redeemed by the loving associate of our fellow man, this is
a two way thing.
      "Had grown diseased, as all minds do and must and
will that reverse the appointed order of their maker."
      In isolation the greatest sin we commit against
ourselves and others, is to shun human companionship as Miss
Haversham did. After her betrayal in love she hardened her
heart towards her fellow man. By hardening her heart and
suppressing her naturally affectionate nature, she committed
a crime against herself. Miss Havershams   love for Compeyson
is of a compassionate kind, this blinded her to his true
nature, as Herbert remarked, "too haughty and too much in
love to be advised by anyone." At Compeysons desertion her
anger and sorrow became extreme and she threw herself and
Satis House into perpetual mourning and a monument to her
broken heart, shutting the world out and herself from the
world. Her only concession is in her adoption of Estella.
      Miss Haversham has ulterior motives in adopting
Estella, this is not a loving action on her part, but a
calculated manoeuvre to turn the child into a haughty,
heartless instrument of revenge against men. Estella is
encouraged to practice her disdain on Pip and to break his
heart. Paradoxically, Miss Havershams greatest sin, is
against herself. By hardening her heart she loses her
generous, affectionate nature and becomes withered inside
emotionally. Her punishment is that the heartless young
woman she has made, uses her lack of feelings against Miss
Haversham.
      Estella herself is isolated, as for most...