Miss Havisham’s house is a large mansion that has lots of expensive furniture inside. Mrs. Rutter’s house on the other hand is a small, friendly cottage which contains lots of happy memories. In the present condition, their houses seem quite similar but both have different reasons for being the way they are. Miss Havisham’s house is not cared for and neglected through bitterness and sadness. Whereas Mrs. Rutter’s house is well lived in, memorable, loved and has a warm and comfortable atmosphere. Both houses are in a state of minor dilapidation, this suggests that Mrs. Rutter has used her house well but to a point were it is starting to look untidy. Whereas Miss Havisham’s dilapidation is because of neglect.
In both stories, the two old ladies are with a younger woman. Both of them prefer to talk to women, rather than men as they feel they can identify with them more easily. Miss Havisham is with a young woman called Estella. She has pride in Estella and she uses her to avenge the male population. Due to her past she hates everybody, especially men as she holds all males responsible for what happened to her and wishes that the same thing would happen to every man, as it did to her. She talks to Estella, and all other people using a sharp tone which suggests detachment and reservation. She tries to get Estella’s attention by using quick conversation. “Come nearer; let me look at you. Come close…look at me…Call Estella!...Come, come, come! Walk with me!”
Mrs Rutter is with a young woman called Sandra. Mrs Rutter enjoys the company of young people, “I like young people…I’ve got a sympathy with young people.” She expresses her feeling for them by keeping “chockies” for the helpers that come to her house to help. She admires Sandra and her dress making skills, along with her kindness in volunteering to help elderly people, such as herself. Mrs Rutter talks to Sandra in a polite, friendly manner, with a nice soft tone. “You’re a pretty girl…pretty as they come…like bees around a honey pot”.
At the end of the story the way Miss Havisham is seen changes. At first you are led to believe that she is a nasty old lady who wants to be left alone and doesn’t mind wasting her life away. But as you read into the story you realise that Miss Havisham has her reasons for being the way she is. Miss Havisham was jilted at the altar, and for a woman of her standing, that was unacceptable. Miss Havisham was unable to recover from the shock and the public humiliation that she was led to face. After realising this you are able to feel some sympathy towards her, rather than thinking she’s strange for sitting around, still in her wedding dress after so many years and just letting time pass her by. Mrs. Rutter on the other hand, is seen a kind old lady who likes to welcome any visitors with open arms, she speaks with a colloquial tone, which helps the readers to compare her to their own grandma. As the story goes on it is obvious that, Mrs. Rutter’s appearance has been deceiving. Mrs Rutter had once committed a terrible sin; she had left a German soldier to die. At first glance at her character it seems almost impossible for Mrs Rutter to be capable of doing such a terrible thing. After reading this you are given a very different opinion of Mrs Rutter and realise that she too can be a cold, nasty and ruthless old lady, just like Miss Havisham.
Everything that has happened to these two old women over the years has obviously had a huge effect on the way they are and the way they respond to people around them. It has turned Miss Havisham into a grumpy old lady who has no time for anyone. Whereas Mrs Rutter has turned into a kind old lady who has a dark secret hidden beneath her cheerful, happy face.
