Pride And Prejudice

Jennifer Mei

Ms. Hambelton

March 9, 2006

Primary Intuition

"Mr. Darcy drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person,

handsome features... he was looked at with great admiration until

half of the evening, and his manners gave disgust... it turned his

popularity; he was discovered to be proud... " (20 to top of 22)

One is acquainted with the fact that for any social gathering in the twenty first century, an individual will not take the first impressions of others critically or to the extent where their place in society is insulted. In contrast to nineteenth century England, rank of social status was immensely significant; one's presentation at a gathering will expose one's knowledge of either etiquette conducts of high society, or inadequately expressed manners. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, sorts out the complexity of comportment and first impressions, which plays the central ideas that is supported by two other main topics - social ranking and reputation, in which love meddles with the two essential elements in the nineteenth century. In twenty first century America, first impressions roughly puts together the characteristics of the person, in the nineteenth century, the repute of one was judged harshly. The novel is timeless in that it encompasses both eras' importance of first impressions and manners by class and reputation, with love as an interfered change. First impressions in the novel fashions the repute and class of the human's character; into the twenty-first century, the thoughts of first impressions does not impact the individual as much by way of adjudication was applied in the nineteenth century. From manners and first impressions in Pride and Prejudice, the respect for any beauty is eliminated by the magnitude of refinement, but the distinctiveness of exquisiteness and deference only helps remove the unneeded ignorance and "proud" in the characters' actions, and then pulls the socially diverse together.

"In vain I have struggled...You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you...He spoke well; but there were feelings besides those of the heart to be detailed; and he was not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than of pride. His sense of her inferiority...of the family obstacles which had always opposed to inclination, were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due to the consequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely to recommend his suit...Why with so evident a desire of offending and insulting me, you chose to tell me that you liked me against your will, against your reason, and even against your character? Was not this some excuse for incivility, if I was uncivil?" (under picture 243 to 244)

This explains the elimination of beauty, in which Mr. Darcy attempts to prevent to hold his position of class, but his grasp on restriction slips, and thus, transforms the plot of the novel gradually. It was because of love - "the force that separates one from society and one that can conquer even the most difficult of circumstances."(from my manual- 1/25/06 under LOVE) Darcy was mentally "at war" with reality's society, and reflections of thoughts of Elizabeth, or referred to the "force that conquers in the end". His mental fight creates controversy with siding with either beauty or class, in which beauty is present and class is dispositional, or he continues the pedigree flair. For either a love life or strained marriage, both depend on the premise which he chooses. The negatives and positives of both confound and reconsider his decision. The elegance was put more into consideration than beauty and love during nineteenth century England. Jane Austen clearly states her meaning through the character Mr. Darcy by putting words into his personality throughout the plot of the story. "Only the social class of some of her relatives prevents him from pursuing the attraction." Ironically, Darcy, known as the wealthiest man in town, preferred love through beauty, over the status of class, with respect.

As one can see, already in the first few chapters does the book strike upon the main ideas of how crucial first impressions are in meeting an individual elsewhere. The first impression of Mr. Darcy made by Elizabeth was proud, disagreeable, and cold. As the plot shifts into the core, Darcy's character softens his character did not seem as hardheaded as Elizabeth thought. If Darcy only had acted more warmhearted at the ball, gaining Elizabeth's hand would have been the snap of a finger. Austen show how fundamental first impressions are for every character that steps up into the plate. The more expressionless is one's appearance, the harder it is to gain their respect for the individual. Another example of Mr. Darcy in a different perspective, but also in negative light, is the minor character Mr. Collins. The smooth tongue idiotic being was introduced as the inheritor of Mr. Bennet's estate.

"Mr. Collins seemed neither in need of encouragement, nor inclined to be silent himself... He was a tall, heavy looking man...His air was grave and stately, and his manners were very formal...fame had fallen short of the truth..." (88 fifth line)

Mr. Collins seems sly by the wording and first impression of body language. 'His air was grave and his manners were very