Pride and Prejudice Question: Austens Pride and Prejudice revolves around first impressions, especially throughout the

first part of the novel. However, these first impressions seem to alter as the plot unfolds in Volume 2. Elaborate on how first impressions change providing examples on how each character is portrayed and evolved in Volume 1 and 2. In Jane Austens novel, the characters are portrayed in a completely different manner in the first volume in comparison with the second. As it is known, the first name given to the book was First Impressions rather than Pride and Prejudice. Hence, the emphasis given on these first impressions throughout Volume 1 towards the reader and the impressions from a character to another, are obvious. In the second volume though, all the perceptions gradually alter as the plot unfolds. A main literal figure in the novel that the first impressions totally change through the evolution of the plot is Fitzwilliam Darcy. The reader gets a negative impression throughout the first volume of Pride and Prejudice towards him. He seems so judgmental and arrogant as he thinks that Elizabeth is tolerable but not enough to tempt [him]. It is also evident that he considers pride a crucial thing in a person, and therefore he is distant and uneasy to interact with at the Meryton ball. He does not dance with any other person apart from his acquaintances and he does not communicate with others. Nevertheless, in the Volume 2, his self importance is put down and he starts expressing his feelings towards Lizzy which he used to suppress instead. He proposes to the woman he loves and admires. Even after her rejection, he chooses to write a letter to her. The letter is about the impropriety of her family, his disposition towards Wickham and it also reveals his actions concerning Bingley and Jane after understanding that Jane does not show to anyone any symptom of peculiar regard. The tone of the letter is severe rather than

apologetic. It shows that he acknowledges his mistakes since he confesses to Elizabeth his actions. All these though, does not affect the impression the reader has on him, but the impression Lizzy has.

In the first part, she considers him critical and arrogant since he commented on her. This lead to a creation of a negative image towards him and it becomes more effective when Wickham tells her that Darcy hates [him]. In the second one, Elizabeth decides to reject the proposal of Darcy due to what Colonel tells her about him. She considers Darcy responsible for the separation of her sister and Bingley. However, after she reads the whole letter she is shocked to find out that Wickham lied to her and both the first impressions of the readers and the first impression of her towards Darcy, immediately alter. With Darcys letter, Wickhams true side is uncovered since he runs away with a future wealthy lady, Miss King. This proves his attraction to wealth. His character is also depicted when he tries to persuade Georgiana Darcy to marry him so he can access her fortune too. His lies are uncovered at the first time Lizzy meets him. He tells to her about Georgiana, that she is too proud. Wickham is definitely a man who whose only concern is money. The first impressions one can get from him are positive, but they transform into more than negative. Another important persona who makes a vast change from the first part of the book to the second is Mr. Bennet. Mr. Bennet is the father of the family and from the beginning of the book, his perfect relationship and his special love towards his daughter, Elizabeth is portrayed. The two of them are the cleverest Bennets. Initially, he is sarcastic and somehow disrespectful towards his wife, Mrs. Bennet. However, he is depicted as a humorous character since he refers to his wifes nerves as [his] old friends. In addition, he is a sympathetic persona due to the fact that he is married to a

woman of mean understanding and sometimes excused for his unconcerned attitude and the long time he passes in his library. In the second volume, the reader can easily realize the immense change of the first impressions. Mr. Bennet is an impassive father and has an imperfect relationship with the members of the family, except Elizabeth of course, who he encourages to find a husband and marry while her eldest sister is disappointed of her husbands departure to Netherfield. Another action he does which conveys his insouciance is when he allows Lydia to go on her own to Brighton. He reveals to his favorite daughter that the departure of her sister is a relief since they shall have to peace if Lydia does not go to Brighton. He somehow fails as a father as he is extremely careless and unable to control. Throughout Volume 2, Mr. Bennet undervalues more than in Volume 1, through Lizzy who has never been blind to the impropriety of her fathers behavior as a husband. His marriage with his wife seems fail since respect, esteem and confidence had vanished forever between the two of them. Therefore, Mr. Bennet from a humorous character, gradually transforms to a sequestered and indelicate person. Lydia, even if is not an important character in the novel of Jane Austen, is given enough attention in the second volume, especially in comparison with the first. From the beginning of the novel though, the author gives the impression that she is selfish and immature since she considers herself both the youngest and the tallest Bennet daughter. Her stubbornness is also depicted when she insists on going to Brighton. In the novel, the author chooses to indicate certain characters in a different way in the first part and the second. As the story evolves, the impression the reader has totally changes and it transforms rather than from positive to negative or the opposite.