“Heaven forbid! That would be the greatest misfortune of all! To find a man agreeable whom one is determined to hate! Do not wish me such an evil” (88).
This is Elizabeth’s response to Charlotte’s claim that she will find Mr. Darcy agreeable. The use of the word ‘determined’ clearly shows the prejudice that Elizabeth has for Darcy. Considering the fact that First Impressions was the original title of the book, it is important to remember that Elizabeth always goes by her first impressions of people. This can be seen with both Wickham and Darcy. Elizabeth does not want to find Darcy agreeable, as Charlotte clams, because she has already pre-determined that she will hate him. Elizabeth is prejudice because she applies one instance, her first impression of Darcy, to all of his actions. She is also very inclined to believe any negative things she hears about him. Elizabeth even speaks with Darcy about prejudice: “It is particularly incumbent on those who never change their opinion, to be secure of judging properly at first” (90). Elizabeth is stating that it is necessary for people who judge others based on their first impression, to make an accurate judgment of the other person’s character based upon this first impression. This is very ironic because Elizabeth in one of those people who does not change their opinion of others. She judged Darcy based upon her first impression of him, but this judgment may have been inaccurate.
The fundamental flaw with the character Jane Bennet in the novel is:
A. Pride
B. Blind Optimism
C. Vanity
D. Beauty
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