Pride and Prejudice How successful this novel is in giving first impressions of the characters?

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Pride and Prejudice

The novel Pride and Prejudice written by Jane Austen was originally to be called First Impressions. Hence the ultimate aim of this essay is to identify how successful this novel is in giving ‘First Impressions’ of the characters. The focus of this essay is on the opening chapters of the novel as this is where we are first introduced to the characters.

‘It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.’ This is one of Austen’s famous quotes and sums up the main theme of the novel; that in the time this novel was written all men with a good wage are eligible bachelors in finding a woman to marry. I would consider this idea to be put under the theme of marriage. Another significant theme of this novel is society. In those days one’s reputation was very important to ensure they sustained their status in the hierarchy of society. If one was to do something disrespectful towards others; by breaking the rules that had been derived in the 18th century, then the whole family would be affected by one’s wrong doings. This novel is based on the tribulations that occur throughout the Bennett family. The Bennetts were members of the gentry and this was considered fairly high in society. Hence they would have reasonable status in the hierarchy of society. A brief example I can give of the theme of society is: later in this novel Lydia Bennett (youngest of five daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Bennett) runs away with Mr. Wickham (a dishonest officer as we later find out in the novel). Because Lydia and Mr. Wickham aren’t married their attempt in leaving Meryton as a couple stirs up controversy amongst the town.  As a result of this event the family’s reputation is put in jeopardy and none of Lydia Bennett’s sisters can get married to members of the gentry. Due to Lydia’s wrong doings the Bennett’s have descended in the hierarchy. The only way the Bennett sisters can redeem their reputation, status in society and moreover be able to get married to someone in their own class is if Lydia Bennett marries Mr. Wickham. Today such a situation wouldn’t be frowned upon; however in Austen’s day there would be harsh consequences. Ultimately, this indicates the difference in social historical background.

Jane Austen began writing the novel during the turn of the century in 1796, as she was writing the novel she wished to call it First Impressions. However, after much re-drafting the novel was published under the title Pride and Prejudice in 1813. Jane Austen was born in Steventon, Hampshire on 10th December 1775. She was the daughter of a clergyman and one of 8 children. Many thought that Jane wrote her novels on the basis of her social knowledge as this is all she knew about and believed she was unaware of major world events. Strictly speaking this is incorrect. Her brothers, to whom she was very close, were involved in political and military matters and she was informed by them any major events that had taken place in the world. It was her own choice to write about social issues and possibly may have chosen to write in this style as she could have personally experienced the events that she based the novel on, showing authenticity.

Why is this novel still popular today? Jane Austen’s writing is still extremely popular today; especially Pride and Prejudice, so popular the BBC has recently produced a highly acclaimed series on the novel. I believe if Austen had written about 18th century issues, Pride and Prejudice wouldn’t be as popular today because people wouldn’t find it as interesting. I believe the reason Pride and Prejudice achieves such great popularity is because the dilemmas of this novel is what arises curiosity amongst its readers.

As explained earlier the novel revolves around the Bennett family, however most of the novel is seen from the point of view of Elizabeth. As a result of this the opinions of most characters is Prejudice. I noticed that the narrator’s opinions are the same as the character of Elizabeth; this allows me to express the idea that Jane Austen may have depicted herself as Elizabeth in this novel. An example I can give of this is Austen (the narrator) comments, ‘Mr Bingley was good looking and gentleman like,’ early in the novel. Elizabeth too expresses the same opinions as the narrator, ‘he is also handsome’, ‘his character is thereby complete’. Mr. Darcy at the start of the novel is displayed very vulgar but later we find out he is quite pleasant, despite this at the start of the novel the narrator still exposes Mr. Darcy to be impolite expressing the same prejudice seen through Elizabeth’s eyes. This reinforces my belief that Austen has depicted herself as Elizabeth.

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Pride and Prejudice has many small plots inter wound amongst the main plot, which makes the novel difficult to explain. However I can still briefly outline the main plot. People are in controversy to find that a young man of good income has recently moved into Netherfield. As explained earlier he is an eligible bachelor because he has a high income. The Bennetts are especially pleased because they have five unmarried daughters and desperately wish for them to get married. A ball was organised and coincidently both Mr. Bingley and the Bennetts were present. Jane Bennett (the eldest of ...

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