<p> Dent 1</p><p>Ima Stu Dent</p><p>Mr. Webster</p><p>English 12A</p><p>13 April 2007 </p><p>An Analysis of Character Developments in Austen’s Pride and Prejudice</p><p>Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice closely examines the powerful impact that first impressions have, using this idea to further develop certain characteristics in the novel’s two main characters. With the story’s progression, it becomes evident that while first impressions may not be accurate, preexisting pride and prejudice impede growth. Austen uses the traits of pride and prejudice to show the major obstacles that love must overcome, contrasting Darcy’s previous haughtiness and Elizabeth’s misjudgment to their newly enlightened views, illustrating the extent of development in her characters.</p><p>Several characters exhibit the trait of pride; Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Mr. Darcy’s aunt, is condescending and speaks in a tone that “marked her self-importance” (Austen 139), while Mr. Collins is simply proud of his associations with someone of a prestigious rank. </p><p>However, it is Mr. Darcy that visibly displays the most pride. The first impression that he conveys to others is far from positive, especially when he refuses to dance with Elizabeth at the ball for not being pretty enough (12). The majority of characters perceive Darcy’s excessive pride, especially Elizabeth, who feels far from pleased by his presence after his offensive remark. Dent 2</p><p>As Mr. Darcy interacts with others, his arrogance becomes apparent in other aspects, especially as he focuses on his elevated social status compared to those around him. Not only is he proud of himself and his family’s high-level connections, he rudely comments on how women of a lower social status will undoubtedly have difficulties in marrying “men of any consideration in the world” (Austen 33). Compared to his amiable, good-natured friend Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy appears to be incredibly conceited and pompous, displaying few likable qualities in front of company. His character does not change until a major event forces him to re-evaluate himself: his first proposal to Elizabeth Bennet. Though he slights her at the beginning of the book, he slowly finds himself being drawn to her intelligence and wit, even commenting that he could potentially be in trouble if wasn’t for the “inferiority of her connections” (46). When proposing to Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy distinctly points out her social inferiority and the lack of class in her family, yet still expresses full confidence thinking she will accept him as her husband. “He spoke of apprehension and anxiety, but his countenance expressed real security” (161). Elizabeth’s eventual rejection drives him to reconsider his past behavior and examine if there is validity in her claims.</p><p>For Elizabeth, it is prejudice that interferes with her ability to understand those around her, which is ironic because she prides herself on being able to discern the true temperament of others. Throughout the first portion of the novel, she makes two critical misjudgments in the Dent 3 characters of Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham. Elizabeth may be partially justified in her initial opinion of Mr. Darcy, stating that she “could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified </p><p>[hers]” (Austen 19). However, she allows this first bad impression to get in the way of seeing who he is, serving as a colossal problem in being able to truly understand Mr. Darcy. While she chooses to believe the worst of Mr. Darcy in all circumstances, she also misjudges Mr. Wickham, falsely attributing him with positive characteristics due to his charm and good manners (66). </p><p>As Austen’s vision of the modern woman, Elizabeth is typically a rational, intelligent character who can easily see through the pretensions of others, especially Miss Bingley and Mr. </p><p>Collins. However, she holds such profound objections against Mr. Darcy that she is reluctant to change her mind about him, willingly believing all of the negative information that Mr. Wickham relates to her about the past, and refusing to listen to Mr. and Miss Bingley when they reveal the truth (Austen 69). When Charlotte suggests that Elizabeth could find Mr. Darcy to be a pleasant man, should she give him a chance, Elizabeth promptly rejects the notion, stating “that would be the greatest misfortune of all!—To find a man agreeable whom one is determined to hate!” (78). </p><p>Elizabeth’s extreme prejudice is sustained and even confirmed when Mr. Darcy insults her while proposing, but a later turn of events impels her to rethink her previous notions.</p><p>Mr. Darcy’s pride and Elizabeth’s prejudice become tempered after the first marriage proposal; despite the immense obstacle of looking past these traits, both characters manage to Dent 4 thoughtfully consider the situation and alter their attitudes. For Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth’s harsh denouncements serve as a major revelation for him about his own behavior, as he slowly begins to change. When he writes a compelling letter to Elizabeth, he responds to her accusations in an honest and straightforward manner that had not been previously seen. Meanwhile, reading that letter makes Elizabeth reconsider her original opinions about Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham </p><p>(Austen 172). In the remainder of the novel, Mr. Darcy undergoes a remarkable transformation, being civil and treating the Gardiners with great respect (212), saving Lydia from a harsh predicament by striking a deal with Mr. Wickham to marry her (269), and even looking past the same social status which he earlier disdained by consenting to Mr. Bingley and Jane’s romance. </p><p>When Elizabeth sees Mr. Darcy beginning to change, she also starts to re-evaluate her own feelings, overcoming her prejudice and seeing Mr. Darcy in a new light. Feeling gratitude and respect towards him, Elizabeth rationally analyzes her situation and comes to the conclusion that </p><p>“[Mr. Darcy] was exactly the man who, in disposition and talents, would most suit her. His understanding and temper, though unlike her own, would have answered all her wishes” (259). </p><p>Austen effectively emphasizes Darcy’s overwhelming pride and Elizabeth’s blinding prejudice in order to show how much the two characters grew to finally unite at the end of the novel. With these qualities, readers are aware of the immense obstacles that they faced, in comprehending each other and themselves, but Darcy’s pride and Elizabeth’s prejudice are Dent 5 eventually assuaged as the characters and their feelings for one another evolve. Despite their previous objections to one another, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth are able to marry and demonstrate that the type of deep, enlightened love that they share can conquer the greatest misunderstandings to achieve felicity in the end. </p><p>First impressions may have a tendency to be accurate in some cases, but readers learn that those impressions must not hinder us from being able to accurately see a person’s true character. Through the developments present in Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth, it is clear that elements of pride and prejudice obstruct progress and growth in the long run. To achieve the same enlightenment that Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth experience, it is imperative to look past original perceptions and be willing to overcome major obstacles to experience a better future. Dent 6</p><p>Works Cited</p><p>Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. New York: New American Library, 1989.</p>