Pride and Prejudice Essay First Impressions - 527 Words

First Impressions in Pride and Prejudice First impressions are very important in Jane Austins Pride and Prejudice. As the story develops, we discover how the prejudices and first impressions of each of the main characters change. The primary focus is on the character of Elizabeth Bennet. Elizabeths judgments about other characters dispositions are accurate about half of the time. While she is correct about Mr. Collins and how absurdly self-serving he is and about Lady Catherine de Bourgh and how proud and snobbish she is, her first impressions of Wickham and Darcy steer her incorrectly. Wickham is first thought to be a gentleman by all. His good looks and his easy manner fool almost everyone, and Elizabeth†¦show more content†¦The gentlemen pronounced him to be a fine figure of a man, the ladies declared he was much handsomer than Mr. Bingley, and he was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening, till his manners gave a disgust which tuned the tide of his popularity; for he as discovered to be proud, to be above his company, and above being pleased; and not all his large estate in Derbyshire could then save him from having a most forbidding, disagreeable countenance, and being unworthy to be compared with his friend (58). It is not only what she believes to be pride in Darcys character that makes her judge him harshly, but also her prejudice against him because of the lies Wickham has told her. Darcy sees this fault of prejudice in Elizabeth, stating that her defect is willfully to misunderstand everybody. In the end Elizabeth realizes her folly in trusting her first impressions and prejudices about the men, and states, how despicably have I acted... I, who have prided myself on my discernment! - I, who have valued myself on my abilities... The above are only a few of the major examples of first impressions, prejudice and pride in the novel, as these themes show up throughout the story. Characters besides Darcy are also accused of having too much pride, such as Bingleys sisters, Miss Darcy, Lady Catherine and others. There are also discussions about pride between Elizabeth and Darcy, and Mary discusses pride vs. vanity. Characters areShow MoreRelatedEssay on Pride and Prejudice First Impressions1113 Words   |  5 PagesFirst Impressions Summary: The original title for Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen was First Impressions. Even though Pride and Prejudice is a well thought out title for the novel, First Impressions is what the novel really is about. The novel is based on Elizabeth and what her impressions are about the people she decided to associate herself with. First Impressions The original title for Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen was First Impressions. Even though Pride and Prejudice is a well thoughtRead MoreEssay on Pride And Prejudice: First Impressions803 Words   |  4 Pages First Impressions First impressions are very important. In the Victorian age, people based their whole opinion of someone on first impressions. Most times the first impression of someone is not the way they truly are. Sometimes a first impression can cause you to think negative of someone but later you find out that they are very nice and a very positive person. One example is when Mr. Darcy meets Elizabeth in the book ,Pride and Prejudice. Elizabeth thinks Mr.darcy is a cruel and arrogant personRead More First Impressions in Pride and Prejudice Essay887 Words   |  4 PagesPride and Prejudice was originally and appropriately titled â€Å"First Impressions.† This romantic and philosophical novel demonstrates to its readers how first impressions can drastically get in the way of romantic relationships. First impressions are generally inaccurate, as in the case of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, and also the case of Jane Bennet and Charles Bingley. The first impressions can, however, be accurate, such as in the case of Elizabeth Bennet and William Collins. In thisRead MoreThe Role of First Impressions in Pride and Prejudice Essay509 Words   |  3 PagesThe Role of First Impressions in Pride and Prejudice First impressions play a very important role in Pride and Prejudice. The narrative describes how the prejudices and first impressions (especially those dealing with pride) of the main characters change throughout the novel. From the beginning of the book in chapter 1, we see that Mrs. Bennet lives in a mercenary society where her whole life revolves around money. This shows in her eagerness to meet Bingley. She isRead MoreExplore the Methods Which Writers Use to Develop the Ways in Which Their Characters See and Understand Their Own Worlds in Pride and Prejudice and the Yellow Wallpaper1100 Words   |  5 Pagesmethods which writers use to develop the ways in which their characters see and understand their own worlds in Pride and Prejudice and The Yellow Wallpaper Austen first published ‘Pride and Prejudice’ in 1813 the novella touches on several themes such as prejudice, first impressions and pride; themes that individually define the main characters. 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Each of these characters highlights important