In Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens, light is used symbolically through
the example of Estella. Miss Havisham brings Estella up in the darkness,
consequently sheltering her from the true meaning of life. By Miss Havisham's
orders, the house in which Estella lives is lit only by artificial light.
Estella constantly lives a false life by never knowing the true significance of
her words and actions. Her confinement to the darkness affects Pip, the one
person who truly loves her. Estella represents his unreachable star, a light in
the darkness that he faithfully reaches for. The sun, earth's star, is our
source of life. In this way, Estella acts as Pip's continual source of
inspiration. He strives to become a gentleman for her, so he can spend the rest
of his life by her side. Pip's life was unfulfilled until "her light came
along the dark passage like a star." This light, in the darkness of her
surroundings, will light the way for Pip and always guide him back to Estella.
The light that Estella represents is significant to this remarkable work, Great
Expectations.