The novel by Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice first published in 1813, is one of Austen’s’ most classic and well-known novels. It portrays life in the genteel rural society of that time. Austen’s novel is set in a world where reputation and expectations matter. She sets her satirical eye on the way people judge one other based on their social and economic position. In fact, Austen had first chosen the title “First Impressions” which helps to further communicate her intentions to take on the task of those who judge others based solely on their accidents of class.
It tells us about the initial misunderstandings and later mutual enlightenment between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Their love story is about them overlooking and overcoming their pride and prejudice so that they can truly learn and accept each other for who they are.
Although Pride and Prejudice might not be everyone’s cup of tea with the Georgian era style, there are underlying themes that tell us first impressions are shallow impressions, Attraction grows with acquaintance, and love is challenging will leave you with an impact that is everlasting.
A lot of people might agree with me when I say that our first impression of someone is a shallow impression. According to the 2015 article “How often do you judge people unfairly” on the Psychology Today website, an average of 75 percent of the participants in the survey said they misjudged someone at least once or twice a month. Judgement is both conscious and unconscious and is a fundamental part of the human experience.
We do it around the clock because it is a necessary function of moving, acting, and living in a dynamic world.
Usually the first impression we have of someone might not reflect what type of person they really are. We might not know exactly what makes that person act that way, so do not be too quick to judge. Attraction grows with acquaintance, according to the 2017 article “When physical attraction matters, and when it doesn’t” on the Psychology today website research shows that about 67% of people said that no matter what their personal level of attractiveness is, or our partner’s, as we get to know, like, and respect other’s more, our attraction naturally grows and deepens, and the longer we know one another, the less important physical attractiveness becomes to someone. It isn’t a requirement to be 100% fully attracted to someone to begin and maintain a long-term relationship. In all honestly, when you first meet someone you might not think someone is all that good looking and to me, that is perfectly normal.
For some people attraction isn’t instant, it takes time and you getting to know them and eventually their personality is what you find attractive. You get to know them as a person and you start to see things you didn’t necessarily see before. Love is challenging: According to the 2017 article “Why you need to date someone who challenges you” on The Good men project, the article talks about how to shouldn’t date someone who is parallel to you, someone who follows you blindly and doesn’t ever challenge you with new things. I think most people think that when they are looking for a partner that they need to find someone who is exactly like them, and while that may not be such a bad thing, you should try and look for someone who has key differences so that it leaves room for you to grow. When looking for love you don’t have to be looking for your twin. Someone who agrees with everything you say, and wants to do exactly everything you do, being with someone who is like yourself you are set up to be in a relationship that is stagnant.
Being with someone who is a mirror image of yourself won’t be exposed to new things or be challenged to try something new. Find someone that will offset you, who will challenge you to experience new things and expose you to things you may have never seen before. After reading Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice you can’t help but take something from this novel. You are left questioning things and it changes the way you may have thought of relationships before. It helps you understand that when first meet someone don’t judge too harshly and try to get to know them, it shows that not everyone is attracted to people at first meeting but can grow to feel something, and that you should find someone who is going to help you grow as a person and someone you is going to make you challenge yourself.
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