Existence Quote by Charles Dickens
““Out of my thoughts! You are part of my existence, part of myself. You have been in every line I have ever read, since I first came here, the rough common boy whose poor heart you wounded even then. You have been in every prospect I have ever seen since – on the river, on the sails of the ships, on the marshes, in the clouds, in the light, in the darkness, in the wind, in the woods, in the sea, in the streets. You have been the embodiment of every graceful fancy that my mind has ever become acquainted with. The stones of which the strongest London buildings are made, are not more real, or more impossible to displace with your hands, than your presence and influence have been to me, there and everywhere, and will be. Estella, to the last hour of my life, you cannot choose but remain part of my character, part of the little good in me, part of the evil. But, in this separation I associate you only with the good, and I will faithfully hold you to that always, for you must have done me far more good than harm, let me feel now what sharp distress I may. O God bless you, God forgive you!””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Great Expectations, Charles Dickens, 1861
The narrator sees Estella as an inseparable part of his identity, shaping both his virtues and vices, and he reveres her influence despite pain.
In simple terms: Estella is central to his self‑understanding and moral balance.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how deep relationships shape who you are.
Themes
love
identity
influence
duality
sacrifice
Mood
melancholic
passionate
reflective
Type
literary
emotional
philosophical
When to use this quote
- romantic longing
- personal growth
- grief processing
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
psychology
literary symbolism
attachment
Questions to Reflect On
- How does love alter self‑perception?
- Can devotion coexist with healthy boundaries?
A Different Perspective
His devotion may blind him to Estella’s flaws, limiting self‑awareness.
![“And therefore, Uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that [Christmas] has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!” quote by Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7d0/charles-dickens-34_believe_and-therefore-uncle-though-it-has-never_1125270.jpg)
