Estella (Character Analysis)

Portrayals of Estella played by a various number of actresses throughout the years.
(images courtesy of Google Images)

Estella has been played by a number of different actresses throughout the years since the publication of Charles Dickens' 'Great Expectations' in 1860. Her younger self at the beginning of the film is often played by a younger child actress and as she gets older towards the middle/end of the film her role is taken on by a more experienced actress. Different adaptations of the novel have resulted in her character being modernised in some of the portrayal, and obviously each actress has a different skill set so will focus and emphasise certain things about the character. However, despite this, there are a number of common factors that most, if not all, the actresses that have played Estella have channelled. 

Estella was raised by Miss Havisham, a lonely, bitter old woman who got rejected by her husband to be on the morning of their wedding. As a result of this she has trained Estella to hate the male species and lure them in, only to break their hearts. As a result of this the portrayals of Estella so far have shown her to come across as an extremely beautiful young lady who would be seen as attractive to any boy or man (depending on her age throughout the film) that comes across her. However the actresses that have portrayed her have done so as her having a beautiful outer layer but having a deceitful, spoilt and rude personality. In all her adaptations she is shown to be manipulating Pip into loving her so she can eventually break his heart. Her behaviour towards him is deemed as if she believes she is better than him, criticising his lack of money and appearance to her guardian in front of him where he must listen to her insults.

As a result of this consistent perception of Estella's character I would like to include these ideas as well as add some of my own thoughts into the mix. My first thoughts on how I will portray Estella are that I would like her to have pale flawless skin, this is due to the fact that I would like her outer appearance to be one that appears angelic and untouched by anyone or anything - no freckles as the sun hasn't damaged her skin, no cuts or bruises where she's been hurt, just a pale blank canvas, an eerily beautiful look. I would like both her hairstyle and her makeup to be simplistic enough to allow the idea of her 'natural beauty' shining through. To this I think the best colour scheme for her makeup to go along with her pale skin would be pinks, plumbs or light browns.

Her hair will be simply styled into ringlets, as to a head of ringlets is often used to represent sweet innocent young girls and was also a common element used in the styling of hair in the Victorian era.

I would expect Estella to walk as if she is gliding, staying at one level, even as her younger self is portrayed where she may usually bounce around like a young girl does, as this makes her appear angelic. Her head held up high, with her shoulders back when she is both walking and interacting with others (i.e. Pip) also helps to highlight her status and her belief she is better than those she is surrounded by. These small characteristics, although appearing to be simplistic are very effective in portraying her attitude and personality to the viewers despite its contrast with her appearance and will hopefully result in it making it difficult for the viewers to make their mind up on her - her appearing so young and angelic but acting so pompous and cruel, providing the viewers with a love-hate relationship for her character.