Analyzing the 'First Impressions' of the Characters in 'Pride and Prejudice'

Pride and Prejudice

The novel Pride and Prejudice written by Jane Austen was originally to

be called First Impressions. Hence the ultimate aim of this essay is

to identify how successful this novel is in giving ‘First Impressions’

of the characters. The focus of this essay is on the opening chapters

of the novel as this is where we are first introduced to the

characters.

‘It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in

possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.’ This is one

of Austen’s famous quotes and sums up the main theme of the novel;

that in the time this novel was written all men with a good wage are

eligible bachelors in finding a woman to marry. I would consider this

idea to be put under the theme of marriage. Another significant theme

of this novel is society. In those days one’s reputation was very

important to ensure they sustained their status in the hierarchy of

society. If one was to do something disrespectful towards others; by

breaking the rules that had been derived in the 18th century, then the

whole family would be affected by one’s wrong doings. This novel is

based on the tribulations that occur throughout the Bennett family.

The Bennetts were members of the gentry and this was considered fairly

high in society. Hence they would have reasonable status in the

hierarchy of society. A brief example I can give of the theme of

society is: later in this novel Lydia Bennett (youngest of five

daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Bennett) runs away with Mr. Wickham (a

dishonest officer as we later find out in the novel). Because Lydia

and Mr. Wickham aren’t married their attempt in leaving Meryton as a

couple stirs up controversy amongst the town. As a result of this

event t...

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... first impression of Darcy does not display his true

character. It is only through Lizzie’s Prejudice do we see Darcy’s

Pride. I assume because of this reason Jane Austen called the novel

Pride and Prejudice rather than First Impressions. Only on that

instant are the opening chapters ineffective in giving the first

impression of a character, as the first impression is a prejudice

opinion. I can conclude that Jane Austen has appeared to illustrate

herself as the character of Lizzie not only because most of the novel

revolves around her giving us the impression that she has been in the

same social situation as Lizzie, but she is also expressing the same

ideas as Lizzie as given earlier in the essay. I deem that it was

essential for Austen to name this novel Pride and Prejudice to give a

moral to it; that never allow one’s prejudice to judge one’s

character.