The Girl on the Train

The world has become a place where many individuals are quick to judge based on appearance. However, the way one is perceived at first glance does not truly embrace their inner self. In the novel, The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins, it demonstrates how beauty is only skin deep. First impressions is when one encounters another for the first time and forms a mental image about that person. The way someone looks, the way someone is described and the way someone acts all have a role in first impressions. Throughout the novel characters like Rachel Watson, Megan Hipwell and Tom Watson are all different compared to the way they are anticipated by others.

The way one looks has a big impact on what others first judge. Rachel Watson has been struggling to deal with her divorce and has become a heavy drinker. Due to her drinking, she often arrives to work drunk or hungover. When stepping onto the train and grabbing her usual seat while on her way to work, the citizens on the train give her judging eyes and disgusted looks. Rachel states,

He looks up at me and meets my eye, his glance travels over me, over
 the little bottle of wine on the table in front of me. He looks away. 
 There’s something about the set of his mouth which suggest distaste. 
 He finds me distasteful. (20)

The man on the train has viewed Rachel during her weak stages, his facial appearance suggests disgust without truly understanding what is happening. Due to Rachel’s physical state, one has viewed her to be a drunk which implies that our society is too quick to judge. Another character in the novel, Megan Hipwell is described to the reader as one way, but is in fact the complete opposite.