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A History of Titles

Pride and Prejudice is one among the hot-cakes in the novel since its first initial birth. Pride and Prejudice was not entitled Pride and Prejudice in the first place. The silent novel was named as First Impressions in 1793. But the publisher wanted the name to be more industry and marketing friendly. Having noticed the blockbuster success of her novel, Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen changed the title from First Impressions to Pride and Prejudice in 1813 when this novel was published. (We will analyze how both titles carry a flood of hidden and visible meanings so "chew on this". )

First Impression

An impression is an imprint that one leaves on others through one's actions, reactions and behavour. Same is the case here in the Pride and Prejudice. Many characters take an initial impression of their 'future' life partners but it proves to them that "first impression is [not] the last impression".

Darcy and Elizabeth

As we are already familiar with Fitzwilliam Darcy's quote which he utters for Elizabeth to dance in the "ball" in Meryton: "She is tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me [for dancing]. Such sharp remarks serve as a tonic to flare up Elizabeth and she takes the impression of Darcy being a proudsome person. Thus concealing his inner goodness.

Wickham and Lydia

Lydia, at first glance, is greatly smitten by the physical charms of a lieutenant, George Wickham and takes the first impression of being a good-natured person, just he is handsome and well-muscled. He makes a great use of his physical wealth to attract attention of the young ladies to serve for his own purposes. But he proves a "puppy-headed monster" (as alluded by Shakespeare in The Tempest) towards Lydia. Yet her family's reputation is rescued by Darcy.

Mr. and Mrs. Bennet

It all started way back when Mr. and Mrs. Bennet saw each other for the "first time". Mr. Bennet took his lady to be a liberal-minded person just because of her liberal beauty. But this first impression proved wrong and in Jane Austen's own words, "[Her] weak understanding and liberal mind had very early in their marriage put an end to all real affection for her."

Proud and Prejudiced

Let us revert back clock hands to the Meryton Episode and we can easily trace out who is proud and who is prejudiced. But the question is, why the one is proud and why the one is prejudiced? It is Darcy, who, at first, sows the seeds of Elizabeth's prejudice for him just because he "praises" her good looks in his richly fashion way.

Later, George Wickham adds fuel to the already inflamed fire by lying about Darcy, having cheated on him in the property matters. But we, as readers, know how knavish his remarks are because it is Darcy, who is ready to lavish a huge chunk of money, just to protect the good name of Bennet family. Fortunately, Elizabeth receives Darcy's letter explaining all the fuss about Lydia's "successful" elopement (in this case marriage) with Wickham and her prejudice against him is vanished gradually. [So, a happy ending, right?]

Conclusion

Every title serves a purposeful implication to the thematic (relating with themes) and characteristic significance. First Impression results in pride and the last impression manifests itself to alleviate the prejudice.

Title Justification of the Novel Pride and Prejudice