Coincidentally, stars also serve as navigation. In this manner, Estella leads Pip to Miss Havisham, through life and realizations. It is because of Estella that Pip realizes he is common, and throughout his future actions from meeting Estella, Pip continually bears in mind Estella. This characterizes Estella as a haunting personality that guides Pip through life. She becomes his guiding light, similar to when she carries the light through the hall before arriving at Miss Havisham’s and then leaves with it, leaving Pip in the darkness. Thus she is a light and is thus characterized as Pip’s light.
Her leading Pip to Miss Havisham and his new life, is reminiscent of the star of David leading the shepherds to the messiah and a new life. In this respect, Estella also begins to be perceived as the means to which Pip’s life changes. She is the catalyst that inspires Pip to change and his inspiration. Estella frequently arises in Pip’s mind in moments of insecurity, as his inspiration to change, but in this she also begins to represents all of Pip’s insecurities and all that he cannot achieve, become or have. Estella begins to represent the other world of a higher social class.
Her appearances in the novel are rare and shining due to the effect these events have on Pip. Similar to the twinkling of a star, Estella appears time and time again throughout stages in Pip’s life. Estella proves to be a frequent component to Pip’s realizations.
Upon Pip’s first meeting Estella, she is obliged by Miss Havisham to play with Pip. She, of course, doesn’t want to as he is common but must because Miss Havisham asks her to. In this we see that she is a pawn and has no right to be haughty. In fact, this strengthens the ambiguity of Estella’s character as she is haughty yet really of no standing. She is Miss Havisham’s pawn and this first card game begins to represent a battle of the sexes, as Miss Havisham utilizes Estella’s beauty to signify the power that females over males. Thus Estella begins to represent the evil of all women as well as Miss Havisham’s pawn and game. It is here that Pip begins to endeavor to be something he’s not: to be a gentleman and as educated as Estella.
Upon Pip’s second visit, Estella asks Pip what he thinks of her. When he answers that she is pretty, she hits him and then asks the question again. This time Pip says nothing. This further strengthens the opinion that Estella is an evil woman, but also shows that she has been trained to behave in this manner because she asked again as if to punish him more for whatever answer he chooses. Once again they play cards, after which Pip is once again allowed leave to walk the grounds. Upon doing so Pip encounters a young gentleman who challenges him to a fight. Pip wins the fight, and later on Estella rewards Pip by allowing him to kiss her. This characterizes Estella as one who always associates with the winner.
However in allowing Pip to kiss her, Estella puzzles the reader. This underlines the ambiguity of Estella’s character. Estella is characterized by the reactions of Pip, as he is the narrator. Bluntly Estella’s character is developed by Dickens’ through the development of Pip in regards to his view of Estella.