Hope Quote by Charles Dickens
““Estella was the inspiration of it, and the heart of it, of course. But, though she had taken such strong possession of me, though my fancy and my hope were so set upon her, though her influence on my boyish life and character had been all-powerful, I did not, even that romantic morning, invest her with any attributes save those she possessed. I mention this in this place, of a fixed purpose, because it is the clue by which I am to be followed into my poor labyrinth. According to my experience, the conventional notion of a lover cannot be always true. The unqualified truth is, that when I loved Estella with the love of a man, I loved her simply because I found her irresistible. Once for all; I knew to my sorrow, often and often, if not always, that I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be. Once for all; I loved her none the less because I knew it, and it had no more influence in restraining me, than if I had devoutly believed her to be human perfection.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, 1861
The narrator admits his love for Estella is irrational and driven by obsession, yet he acknowledges its power over him.
In simple terms: He loves Estella despite it being unreasonable.
Key Takeaway
Recognize when love is more about obsession than healthy connection.
Themes
love
obsession
irrationality
self-awareness
conflict
Mood
melancholic
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- relationship counseling
- personal introspection
- literary study
- creative writing
- psychotherapy
Key Concepts
Romantic idealism
psychology of desire
self-deception
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you love someone for who they are or for the idea of them?
- How can you differentiate healthy love from obsessive fixation?
A Different Perspective
Love based on obsession can blind judgment and cause suffering.
