Pride And Prejudice Essay -- First Impressions Jane Austen Essays

Pride and preconception The novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen was originally titled scratch Impressions. This is signifi buttt 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 1800s and Austen focuses on a society whose opinions are based on world-class impressions.This is achieved through cultural context, characterisation, narratorial commentary, and methods/techniques.During the 19th Century, first impressions were very important. The lecturer is presented with Meryton, a highly structured class society which judges large number on superficial qualities, such as physical appearance, social status, clothes, possessions, behaviour, dialogue. The essence Austen positions the reader to understand, is that a society which desexualizes its judgements based on first impressions is scrofulous and unjust. (-She uses humour to help convey this in a less-serious t iodine.)For examp le, Mrs Bennetts first impressions of Mr Bingley were based upon his behaviour and physical appearance. Oh My dear, I am quite rejoiced with him. He is so excessively handsome (Page 16)Mrs Bennett has a driving wildness in her behaviour to marry her daughters to wealthy men, who were financially stable and socially accepted, so her liking to Mr Bingley is reinforced by his interest in her eldest daughter Jane. Mr Bingley thought her quite beautiful, and danced with her twice. Think of that my dear he really danced with her twice and she was the only creature in the get on that he asked a second time (Page 15)In contrast, Mrs Bennetts first impression of Mr Darcy was that he is cold, abrupt, and proud. This is established because of his manner and behaviour. The narrator describes Darcys behaviour in chapter 1 Mr Darcy danced only once with Mrs Hurst and once with Miss Bingley, declined being introduced to any different lady and spent the rest of the evening walking about the r oom speaking occasionally to one of his own party. He was the proudest, nigh trying man in the world, and everybody hoped that he would never come there again. Amongst the most violent against him was Mrs Bennett, whose dislike of his general behaviour, was sharpened into particular resentment, by his having slighted one of her daughters. (Page 12) Mr Darcy judges Elizabeth and the Bennett family on soc... ... prolong prided myself on discernment I who deliver valued myself on my abilities.(Page) Pride and Prejudice is written in third person omniscient, which allows the reader to delve into the minds of more than one character. The narrator can be persuasive and influential, (this is most common during passages of large summary) although at former(a) times a silent observer/goes without commentary, (During character dialogue) however the flow of view becomes more foc utilize through the character of Elizabeth. The narrator has operate of selection of detail, and cho oses what the reader is entitled to see. (Eg selects the incidents we see, and finds the words to describe them.)The title send-off Impressions is very significant, because the novel revolves around issues which are based on judgemental people, who make and break first impressions. Characterisation and cultural context are used to portray this, and the reader is positioned to understand that relationships based on first impressions have no substance.Both characters develop throughout the novel, and their first impressions of each separate gradually change. Darcys pride diminishes, as does Elizabeths prejudice.