Pride and Prejudice

A major theme evident within the story of Pride and Prejudice is that outward first impressions do not always accurately portray a person's true inner character. For example, when Mr. Darcy first comes to Pemberly, all the people find him disagreable and therefore write him off as arrogant and prideful. Likewise, Elizabeth hears this conceit when Darcy suggests to his friend, she is "not handsome enough to tempt [him] to dance." From this point on, Elizabeth only sees his overwhelming pride and uses it to judge every action he makes--never able to see past her first impression of him. It is obvious since Mr. Darcy in actuality hurt Elizabeth's own pride, this is why she judges him so severely. Further, when Lizzy first meets Wickham, she finds him to be "charming." Therefore, whatever he says, she instantly believes due to "truth in his face." All the words used to describe Wickham are merely physical. He is "charming" and has a "truthful face," however, this shows nothing about himself. Elizabeth allows this first "impression" to conceal the truth of his true identity to her--which is VERY different than what she initially perceives. His immediate attention to Elizabeth evidently causes her to flatter herself and fall prey to his lies. In the end, all the characters end up differently than first portrayed. Elizabeth who originally "cannot tempt Darcy" becomes the apple of his eye. Elizabeth who "detests Darcy's pride" has the opportunity to experience Darcy's charity firsthand. And Darcy who Elizabeth at first finds "charming" and a "true gentleman" ends up being a selfish rogue who nearly ruins Elizabeth's entire family by scandalously running away with her sister.

The Ideal Reader should understand this to be taken very literally--people are not always how they appear and first impressions are not always accurate. It also displays how each human has a bias which gets in the way of everything they do. Since Darcy first injures Elizabeth's pride, until his letter, she is unable to find good in what he does. Likewise, since Elizabeth takes an initial liking to Wickham, she readily believes his horrendous lies against Darcy. This signifies another theme within the story on different perspectives. Everyone sees things differently. Each character has a different angle to offer of a situation and the same is true in life. Even the reader's own opinion is a subjective view of what he thinks. The reader should see this "individual" theme throughout the story, as well as find it applicable to their own lives. Before judging a person too quickly, he research and really get to know the person-- and even then, judging people is ridiculous and immature. Universally it is apparent within Pride and Prejudice that every individual has a subjective view, but this view is limited. Like when Elizabeth is touring Pemberly, she has the epiphony that looking through the different windows she sees the same yard but with a "different perspective." That is a very literal theme within Pride and Prejudice.

I agree with the theme that first impressions are not always accurate and people are not always as they appear--I've experienced different situations of these within my own life. Because of this truth, I strive not to judge others and give people the benefit of the doubt. However, I also recognize I am very opionated person, which ironically, Austen also seems to support. Within her story, Mr Collins is who Mr. Collins appears to be. And no one is condemned for mocking him. While this seems contradictory to Austen's overall theme, it seems in the case of Mr. Collins, that no one is perfect-- no one realistically can go through life without getting annoyed or rightfully judging someone (unless you're Jane maybe...(: ). As sad as that sounds, it is true. While I definitely do not want to use this as an accuse for mocking others if they're "annoying", it's more just a relief to know that I'm not alone in WAY missing my "perfectly never judging others ideal Christina". (: While everyone reads this story and wants to be Elizabeth, I wish I was more like Jane. I wish I never had rude thoughts about others or disliked those who merely "hurt my pride." But I am not Jane, and that's the beauty of Austen emphasizing the importance of individuality, too. It's not about being perfect. It's not about expecting others to be perfect or condemning for their inadequacies. It's about everyone being themselves and accepting others for who they are. (In the case of a nonbeliever, "accepting" them in the sense of unconditionally loving them, and loving them SO much as to not leave them in the dark, but to share the light of Jesus with him.) (: