Pride And Prejudice Essay - 1361 Words

Pride and Prejudice The novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen was originally titled First Impressions. This is significant because it reflects the values and attitudes of 19th century England, and portrays the main themes of the novel. It is set in England during the 1800’s and Austen focuses on a society whose opinions are based on first impressions. This is achieved through cultural context, characterisation, narratorial commentary, and methods/techniques. During the 19th Century, first impressions were very important. The reader is presented with Meryton, a highly structured class society which judges people on superficial qualities, such as physical appearance, social status, clothes, possessions, behaviour, dialogue. The†¦show more content†¦Although the Bennetts are ‘upper/middle class’, there are divisions between each class, so they are looked upon as at the ‘lower’ end of the scale. It is Darcy’s pride that forces him to believe he is better than others, mainly because of the amount of money he has. Mr Darcy feels as if he can be rude to anyone he likes, because the society of Meryton is ‘socially and financially lower’ then himself. After seeing Jane together with Mr Bingley at the dinner party, Darcy’s first impressions (which allow him to think that he has the right to interfere in their relationship) force him into believing that Jane (coming from a family less wealthy then his own) is only after Mr Bingley for security, and financial stability. Instead of realising the love they have towards each other, Darcy allows his pride to blind him of the truth and foolishly assume that only a lady of equal status (as his) is worthy of Bingleys love. Mr Wickham is another example of first impressions based on superficial qualities. His first impressions are very favourable and he is ‘socially accepted’ into the Meryton circle. â€Å"But the attention of every young lady was soon caught by a young man, whom they had never seen before, of most gentlemanlike appearance, walking with an officer, on the other side of the way.† (Page 62) His charming personality, and impressive first impressions soon gathered the acceptance and approval of everyone in the community. Ironically, hisShow MoreRelated Essay on Prejudice and Pride in Pride and Prejudice1535 Words   |  7 PagesPrejudice and Pride in Pride and Prejudice      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In any literary work the title and introduction make at least some allusion to the important events of the novel. With Pride and Prejudice, Austen takes this convention to the extreme, designing all of the first and some of the second half of the novel after the title and the first sentence. 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Towards the end of the novel pride becomes the vehicle for many of the noble actions taken by the main characters. Austen skillfully interweaves the two parts of pride, the