A Slight Change

It is only for so long that character manage to hold their initial impression. It tends to happen in novels and that which they mirror: life. It is about ten chapters into Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice that our initial understanding of the characters begins to change along with the relationships between one another. People are one when they are first introduced, another when they spend some time with you and a third, real person when they get accustomed to you. This is only in short term, for over the years people may change a dozen times. And when they do we tend to feel cheated, as if they had hidden their real intentions in need of acceptance. This isn't true for every living being grows, hopefully, into something better. It is so that every character in the novel changes and there are none who manage to hold their introduction intact.

Mr. Darcy is introduced as a haughty character who's presence is rather unimportant. He begins by disregarding everyone without argument. Later in the book he becomes quite an intellectual whose insight lead the way to many conversations which become then fundamentals for the plot. It is he that defines humility as "carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast" (35). This then becomes the basis for a conversation with Mr. Bingley which leads us to much better understanding of them both. In turn, Elizabeth lets her essence show as she too shares thought upon Darcy's definition. The lonely character who at first thought himself too much for the others might just be an over thinker, one that would rather participate in intellectual exchange than on the dance floor.

Miss Bingley comes to show much of herself when Elizabeth pays Netherfield a visit. She who was one the living example of diplomacy and good manners becomes a resentful wasp submerged in insecurity. As she tries to impress Mr. Darcy, she begins to feel that the man shows interest upon Miss Bennet. As her dislike for the girl grows so does his admiration for her. We then find her manipulating her relatives in opposition to Elizabeth. Miss Bennet knew about the crush for " frequently Mr. Darcy's eyes where fixed in her" (38). Not only does it empower her to wield said advantage but the moment the interest becomes more than just suspicion the relationship changes. Darcy proceeds to ignore her, posing a distant figure as to take back his obvious admiration which so much troubles MIss Bingley.

These few chapter shed new light on the plot. Characters have changed or rather become unchanged to their true essence. A novel that deals primarily with relationships is affected the most by shifts in personality. For this reason we must be critical about every word muttered by the characters, because behind strong walls of hypocrisy lie weak people exposed to reality.