Pride and Prejudice was composed and revised over a period of sixteen or seventeen years. An earlier version of the novel was called First Impressions. As you read, consider what role first impressions have played in the novel. In which cases did first impressions turn out to be correct? In which cases inaccurate?

First impressions and separation of social classes plays a very active role in the whole theme of this novel. First impressions cause these characters’ preconceived notions, based on wealth and class to activate more pride and prejudice against each other. Elizabeth’s first impression of Mr. Darcy was that he was “proud, above his company, and above being pleased.” (Chapter 3, Volume 1.) While Darcy’s first impression of Elizabeth was that she was not handsome enough to tempt him. The fact that her and her family were not wealthy and her mother was a bit over bearing and pushy also had an impact on Mr. Darcy’s pride and prejudice toward Elizabeth.

Throughout the novel, however, we see Mr. Darcy falling for Elizabeth, despite these facts about her wealth and social status. Mr. Darcy is caught catching her eye and attention; he tries to push out of his thoughts his admiration for her. But, as the novel continues his admiration grows deeper and deeper into love, and he asks for her hand in marriage.

Furthermore, Elizabeth’s opinion (pride and prejudice) of Mr. Darcy continues to grow stronger against Mr. Darcy. She is oblivious of his admiration toward her. With the confusion of Mr. Darcy’s true character it takes her almost the entire novel to discover the truth about Mr. Darcy: the truth about him and Wickham and his true reasoning for parting Bingley and Jane. It isn’t until Chapter 13, Volume 2 that she admits herself of being “blind, partial, prejudiced, and absurd.” She admits she has acted despicably, by priding herself on her discernment. “Vanity, not love, has been my folly. Pleased with the preference of one, and offended by the neglect of the other, on the very beginning of our acquaintance, I have courted prepossession [pride] and ignorance, and driven reason away where either were concerned. Till this moment, I never knew myself.” In my opinion, this is the greatest moment, the pivotal point in Elizabeth’s character development thus far in the novel, just as Mr. Darcy’s proposal and letter to Elizabeth was his greatest moment, so far in the novel, showing the trueness of his character as well. Elizabeth finally realizes her pride and prejudice have been false and wrong toward Mr. Darcy.