Ashley's First Impression Journal

As I read the first chapter of Pride and Prejudice,  I immediately started to become  engaged in the story and continued reading the next four chapters. This book is much more unique than the other types of novels I usually read in my spare time. Jane Austen had created characters that all speak in traditional English which gives the novel a classic touch. In the beginning of this book, Mr. and Mrs. Bennett's main priority seemed to be finding a husband with good fortune for one of their five daughters. Mrs. Bennett was much more interested in meeting Mr. Bingley who is told to be a fine and fortunate young man.  Mr. Bennett on the other hand, wasn't as thrilled as Mrs. Bennett was.

             Mr. Bennett seemed to have favoured his youngest daughter Elizabeth the most, as he was going to put in a good word for her. His wife seemed to prefer the other two daughters because she felt that Jane was more attractive and Lydia was better humoured than Elizabeth. In my opinion, Mrs. Bennett seems to think least of Elizabeth, because she feels she is not as beautiful and humorous as her other daughters. I noticed Mrs. Bingley had been more eager in finding and meeting Mr. Bingley because of all the good news she had heard. It seems it had been extremely important for her to find a man for one of her daughters as soon as possible.

             In my opinion, I feel that the idea of  having an arranged marriage in this novel is interesting because they rarely happen these days.  This is because in our society, people are given much more freedom and are able to choose their own spouse. I also find it very interesting that women were defined by who they married rather than the person they were.  I feel that because Mr. Bingley, Jane and Elizabeth Bennett have major roles in these chapters, they will  continue to play important roles in this novel. Some themes I notice are family and social expectations because it is clear that wealth is important and parents have a lot of say in their children’s life choices. Another theme that I find is very evident during these chapters and will be in later chapters in the novel is love and romance. In conclusion, I very much enjoy reading this novel, and I look forward to finishing it.

Marina's First Impression

                                                                              

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin was a very interesting and enjoyable story so far . The novel begins with Mrs. Bennet (one of the main characters) talking to her husband about a special bachelor who will be in town. She requests that her husband makes sure to speak to him. From this, I concluded that Mrs. Bennet is very demanding and not one to easily give up on something she wants. Her husband, Mr. Bennet (also being one of the main characters) explains to her that he does not agree with the idea of the bachelor; however he called and set up a meeting with the young gentleman. Mr. Bennet purposely kept this from his wife because he takes pleasure in contradicting and pulling her leg. One of the main reasons Mrs. Bennet wants a meeting with this young gentleman for one reason. Besides the fact that he was a rich and a handsome man, he was available. She wished to make him love at least one of her daughters, in order for her shame about neither of them being married to go away. This tells me that Mrs. Bennet is someone who cares a lot about what people say. She is the type to worry about her and her family’s reputation and be in constant fear of not pleasing everyone. Obviously in full knowledge of this Mr. Bennet shows his favouritism towards one of his girls in which he would rather that she be chosen. Mr. Bennet is the type of man that speaks his mind and does not care as much to what he says as long as his opinion is out, completely opposite of his wife, and Obviously, Mrs. Bennet does not like that about him.

While reading this novel I noticed that Jane Austin introduced each of the main characters individually as the novel progresses through the chapters of the book. In the first chapter of the book she solely introduced the parents and enough to grasp. In the second chapter she began to mention a few of the girls and who they are. However not all of them were mentioned in full detail leaving the reader a bit weary. This was something that drew me away from the book because it kept the reader guessing and unaware of what is really happening and hesitant of which character should be concentrated on. Overall, although it keeps the reader guessing and not sure of what to expect, it keeps the reader interested. I look forward to reading the rest of the chapters and even more excited to see who gets the guy in the end.

Sydney's First Impression Journal

            As I began to read the book “Pride and Prejudice”, I had an idea of what it was about. It’s basically a typical love story between two people. Usually I don’t enjoy reading but this novel caught my eye and kept me reading. The author, Jane Austen has developed great characteristics to easily catch people’s eyes.

            At the beginning of the book, the parents of five daughters, Mr. And Mrs. Bennett try to find a wealthy husband. The mother of the five finds a young man named Mr. Bingsley who is fortunate and rich. Mr. Bennett doesn’t really like what his wife is doing. Elizabeth, who is one of the daughters, is liked the most by their father. She’s the type to not care about things. Meanwhile, her sisters, Lydia and Jane were god looking and smart. Jane and Lydia are liked most by their mother.

            The mother of Mr. Bingsley had also wanted to find a wife for her son. I noticed back then, arranged marriages were “in”. Arranged marriages aren’t very good, in my opinion. When this sort of thing happens, you don’t get to know the spouse as much.and I feel like there’s no love in the relationship.

            From what I have read, I do enjoy this book. I’ll continue to finish the book because of the way Jane Austen has written it. The storyline has already caught my attention.

Chantelle's First Impressions Journal

            After reading the first four chapters of “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austin, my first impressions of the novel was that it is going to be a typical love story where boy meets girl and they fall forever in love. “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” (Austen, 1) From the first line of the whole novel, the writer starts off with the thought of marriage. I have a feeling someone will get married later on in the novel.

            The story takes place in small towns in what seems to be the country of England. There are mentions of balls to attend, so I think that it could be taking place in older times. The characters speak with such manners and etiquette that are not always common to us in our current time period.

            The story starts off with the Bennet parents conversing. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet feel that their responsibility in life is to find suitable men to take their five daughters’ hands in marriage. Once Mr. Bingley moves in town many see him as the perfect companion. By Mrs. Bennet’s reaction and conversations with her husband she comes off as an over dramatic woman. “You take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion on my poor nerves.” (Austen,2) Mrs. Bennet repeatedly cried this line as her husband and daughter annoyed her. She seems like the type to  always be anxious about every little thing. “She was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented she fancied herself nervous.” (Austen, 3) Mrs. Bennet appears to be controlling of those around her as well, especially her husband as she insists in him visiting Mr. Bingley.

            Mr. Bennet, on the other hand seems to be the opposite; a calm, nonchalant, but still caring fellow. “Mr. Bennet was so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour, reserve, and caprice, that experience of  three and twenty years had been insufficient to make his wife understand his character.” (Austen, 3) Even his own wife couldn’t always understand why he was the way he was, but nevertheless he appears to be a good father. He takes the initiative to visit Charles Bingley at the right time.

            Mr. Bingley is described to be as the “perfect man”; handsome, a gentleman, respectful, rich, and noble. He was liked by the many people he met. At the ball he meets the Bennet’s daughters, and fancies Jane the most. Mr. Bingley has a friend named Mr. Darcy who seems to be the complete opposite of him.

Mr. Darcy is described as “haughty, reserved, and fastidious, and his manners, though well bred, were not inviting.” (Austen, 10) Those who met him disliked him greatly because of this. He feels like he is better than those around him and is someone no one would want to be around.

The five Bennet daughters were all described as beautiful, but I only received a first impression of two; Jane and Elizabeth. These two sisters appear to be very close as they discuss what happened that night at the ball. Jane is described as the most beautiful and most kind hearted because she never sees fault in those around her. Elizabeth is outspoken and is seen when she declares how she feels about the past men Jane has loved.

Overall, I know I will enjoy “Pride and Prejudice”. I have a feeling it will be an interesting love story between an unexpected couple. I wonder who it will be between. Even though I’ve only read a few chapters, I am excited to read about what will happen between the men and the Bennet sisters.