Ora

What is Estella's last name?

Published in Literary Characters 2 mins read

Estella's last name is Havisham.

Understanding Estella's Last Name

Estella, a pivotal character in Charles Dickens' classic novel Great Expectations, adopted the surname Havisham from her eccentric and wealthy adoptive mother, Miss Havisham. Although Estella has biological parents, Abel Magwitch (her birth father) and Molly (her birth mother), she was raised from infancy by Miss Havisham and is widely known by the name associated with her upbringing.

Estella's Family Connections

Estella's identity is intricately linked to her family, particularly her adoptive one. Her name reflects her primary familial bond within the narrative.

Here is a breakdown of Estella's key family relationships:

Relationship Name(s)
Adoptive Mother Miss Havisham
Birth Father Abel Magwitch
Birth Mother Molly
Spouse Bentley Drummle
Adoptive Uncle Arthur Havisham
Adoptive Cousins Pocket family (including Herbert Pocket), Cousin Raymond, Camilla, Georgiana

The adoption of the Havisham name signifies her deep integration into Miss Havisham's world at Satis House, where she was meticulously trained to be beautiful but emotionally cold, serving as an instrument for her adoptive mother's revenge. Even after her marriage to Bentley Drummle, she is primarily remembered and identified as Estella Havisham.

For more details on Estella, a prominent character from Charles Dickens' Great Expectations, you can explore her full story.