P + P Essay 1

Brendan Tuma

Mr. George

World Lit G

10 February 2011

Why First Impressions Matter

            The significance of a first impression can be made no clearer than by the events that take place in Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice. Elizabeth, the protagonist, meets two characters by the name of Wickham and Darcy. Each of these characters’ traits gets amplified through their juxtaposition. Unfortunately Elizabeth is unable to notice this flaw in her and willfully misunderstands who Darcy is as a person. Commencing with a more than awkward first encounter and continuing through a series of unfortunate events, Darcy is unable to be anything more than a villain in the eyes of Elizabeth. Adding to the reader’s frustration of the situation is how Elizabeth appears to be rational in an irrational world, yet is unable to notice her mistake. Although Elizabeth only sees Darcy as a haughty, scornful rascal, he is actually just as rational as her and is quite modest in the way he carries himself.

            The downfall of Elizabeth’s misjudgment of Darcy began at her coming out ball. When Darcy was asked by Bingley if he would be interested in dancing with Elizabeth, Darcy described her as “tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me” (Austen 12). Although Darcy did not mean to affront Elizabeth, the amiable protagonist becomes unable to forgive him. Expecting a cordial gentleman Elizabeth’s view instantly changes for the worse. This is where the importance of a first impression first comes into play. Darcy is initially described as “haughty, reserved, and fastidious, and his manners, though well bred, were not inviting” (16). In Elizabeth’s mind Darcy becomes instantly written off as a potential husband. Elizabeth is seeking a love marriage and sees courting Darcy as only a mercenary marriage.

            Darcy’s undesirable traits become amplified when Elizabeth meets Wickham, a man eager to make a positive first impression. Wickham uses charm to induce Elizabeth into falling for him while reflecting a safe sense of probity. Elizabeth’s first meeting with Wickham goes well and she comes away feeling like she can trust him. Her thoughts and feelings are then described: “Jane listened with astonishment and concern; she knew not how to believe that Mr. Darcy could be so unworthy of Mr. Bingley’s regard; and yet, it was not in her nature to question the veracity of a young man of such amiable appearance as Wickham” (74). Trusting Wickham makes it easier for Elizabeth not to trust Darcy. She clearly trusts him a lot if she takes his word over her sister Jane’s. Hearing trustworthy Wickham’s account of his and Darcy’s past worsens Elizabeth’s misunderstand of Darcy. Combined with a poor first impression this leads Elizabeth to misunderstand Darcy for who he is.

            Darcy appears to be an insincere jerk but behind a cold exterior is a rational person who takes some time to get to know. Elizabeth is set on finding a love marriage and has no interest in Darcy’s money. When Darcy insults Elizabeth the first time they meet she automatically writes him off as a potential husband or even friend for that matter. Wickham’s stories about their past are only seen as true in Elizabeth’s mind because of her negative feelings towards Darcy. These events lead her to believe that Darcy is someone who he is not. Unfortunately for Darcy he will have to work extremely hard to convince Elizabeth otherwise.

Works Cited

Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. New York: Signet Classic, 1980

P + P Quote Log 7

“But why Mr. Darcy came so often to the parsonage it was more difficult to understand. It could not be for society, as he frequently sat there ten minutes together without opening his lips; and when he did speak, it seems the effect of necessity rather than of choice – a sacrifice to propriety, not a pleasure to himself” (154).

            The once too haughty Mr. Darcy has been reduced to speaking to Elizabeth out of necessity. Similar to an awkward middle school boy seeking the attention of a girl, Mr. Darcy is speaking to Elizabeth just to speak to her without any reason. This could be an indication of him starting to fall in love with her. He is afraid to because of her low ranking in society and also that she is not into him. Elizabeth is seeking felicity. Darcy’s greatest attribute is his wealth so in order to get Elizabeth to marry him with alacrity he would need to get her to fall in love with him. This is problematic because of a very poor first impression he made when he refused to dance. Elizabeth clearly has not forgotten this because she brings it up earlier in the novel.

P + P Quote Log 4

“Jane listened with astonishment and concern; she knew not how to believe that Mr. Darcy could be so unworthy of Mr. Bingley’s regard; and yet, it was not in her nature to question the veracity of a young man of such amiable appearance as Wickham” (74).

            As the novel has developed is it clear that Elizabeth is the protagonist in which we are rooting for. Chapter seventeen outlines the first flaw we see in her which is her prejudice. Elizabeth has no problem questioning the veracity of Darcy due, probably in large part, to an awkward first encounter where he described her as “tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me”. On the other hand Elizabeth has no problem trusting Wickham who comes across as an affable gentleman. Wickham certainly has qualities that Elizabeth desires in a husband if she if willing to believe him even when her best friend and sister Jane tells her to question herself. Elizabeth gives Wickham the benefit of the doubt when it comes to probity which is a flaw that could lead to conflicts later on in the novel.

P + P Quote Log 1

“Mr. Darcy’s eyes were fixed on her. She hardly knew how to suppose that she could be an object of admiration to so great a man; and yet that he should look at her because he disliked her was still more strange” (45).

            As the novel develops Mr. Darcy finds himself in a curious predicament. He has come across as haughty and has yet to receive the approbation of Miss Elizabeth Bennett. Although Mr. Darcy knows marrying Elizabeth would lower his social standard he begins to feel compelled to do exactly that. As Mr. Darcy attempts to determine his feelings, Miss Bingley is trying to edge out the amiable Elizabeth. If indeed Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth express interest in one another it will contrast the proposed love marriage held by Mr. Bingley and Jane. Although a love marriage would be propitious for Elizabeth she may have to settle for a mercenary marriage if Mr. Darcy and his wealth continue to show interest.

The Alchemist Essay

Brendan Tuma

Mr. George

World Lit G

05 January 2010

The Alchemist: A Story About Life

            A fable is defined as an elementary moral story in verse or prose in which the characters are often simple peasants or animals demonstrating human foibles. To be considered a fable, The Alchemist, must meet these requirements. Paulo Coelho does this with his novel, sending the protagonist Santiago on a spiritual journey in order to discover himself. Santiago must overcome his dilemma of material possession versus spirituality and discover the reason for his campaign. Santiago’s profession as a shepherd makes him a simple peasant and although no animals demonstrate human foibles in this story, Santiago’s sheep assist in teaching him a lesson which is the objective of any well written fable. Commencing in Andalucía, Santiago travels across the desert to the pyramids of Egypt to discover what turns out to be his treasure. This is a story of personal growth and evolution, where a spiritual journey aids a young shepherd to realize his personal legend. Although there are many ways to analyze The Alchemist, the most appropriate is to view the story as one about life, with the moral being that if you can find happiness in yourself, you can be blissful when you possess nothing else.

            In order to understand that Santiago has recognized his lesson, it is essential to comprehend where he is coming from. Raised in a seminary until age sixteen, the boy chooses to quit becoming a priest and decides to pursue life as a shepherd. He is unable to find God in the seminary and decides to embark on a spiritual journey. Santiago proves to be a relatable character, desiring wealth, women, and travel. Santiago the shepherd is simple, peaceful, and nomadic.

He requires some assistance in determining his vocational calling. The King of Salem and Melchizedek offer their sagacious advice and Santiago decides to pursue his dream. The boy realizes he must embark on a journey. A fable requires an event to occur where a dilemma can take place. Santiago planning to travel to the pyramids to find his treasure is a decision that cannot be reversed. A wise Englishman explains, “Once you go to the desert, there’s no going back…And, when you can’t go back, you have to worry only about the best way of moving forward. The rest is up to Allah, including the danger” (Coelho 77). Santiago learns quickly that once you decide to pursue your dream, going back is not the same option anymore. This is one dilemma Santiago must resolve in order to find the moral of his journey, and he decides to chase his dream.

            According to the text, one’s dreams are very relatable to one’s Personal Legend. The King of Salem tells Santiago that a Personal Legend is “what you have always wanted to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is” (21). The King of Salem continues to preach and tells Santiago what his Personal Legend is. He must find his treasure. A Personal Legend is relatable to every reader because it is what one sets out to accomplish in life. He is told from multiple sources to discover his Personal Legend. This is how Santiago embarks on his journey and it shows how different life can be depending on what direction we head in. Simple things such as choosing whether or not to go on a journey and encountering the King of Salem vastly change Santiago’s life. A relatable theme arises when Santiago develops a fear of failing.

            Fear is an emotion that drives Santiago’s journey. Santiago shows fear on more than one occasion. His overall fear of failing during his pursuit of his Personal Legend is most blatant, but he is also afraid to lose his possessions and afraid that he will be unable to turn himself into the wind. Eventually Santiago overcame his fear, turned himself into the wind, and realized “that he, a boy, could perform miracles” (152). The Alchemist helps Santiago overcome his fear and turns him into a believer. He is then able to believe that he can accomplish his Personal Legend. The text shows that those who do not overcome their fear are unable to achieve their Personal Legends. The crystal shop merchant fears making the voyage to Mecca because then he will have nothing to live for. Since he is incapable of overcoming his fear he will never succeed in his Personal Legend.

            The story makes it clear that Santiago has succeeded with his Personal Legend.  He has accomplished everything that he set out to do. The story commenced with a Sycamore tree growing in the middle of a sanctuary symbolizing new beginnings, new life, and wisdom.
A nervous shepherd used this new beginning to complete his Personal Legend and ends up as jubilant as can be. He originally asked God for money, travel, and wealth but discovered happiness in the Pyramids. He had to find his treasure to complete his goal. Optimistic Santiago became happy when “he laughed back, his heart bursting with joy. Because now he knew where his treasure was” (163). The determined boy had always been open to insight and finally had his moment of greatness. He was able to be blissful when he had nothing else.

            The Alchemist is a story about life with a strong moral that if you can find happiness within yourself, you can be divinely happy when you have nothing else. The story is constructed to show a journey of life through the use of various symbols. Coelho begins the story with the growth of a Sycamore tree in the middle of a sanctuary. This stands for new life, and represents the beginning of Santiago’s journey. His journey is to complete his Personal Legend, something everyone sets out to do in life. In order to succeed he must overcome fear, his background, and disbelief. These are all things that one must overcome to succeed in life. His journey is a relatable one. At first all he wants is women, money, and to be able to travel. Coelho’s moral at the end of the novel is that if you attempt your Personal Legend and find happiness in yourself, you can remain blithe when you have nothing else. His moral is what many strive for.

Works Cited

Coelho, Paulo. The Alchemist. [San Francisco]: HarperSanFrancisco, 1993.

             

The Alchemist Quote Log 4

“But here he was, at the point of finding his treasure, and he reminded himself that no project is complete until its objective has been achieved” (160 – 161).

            Santiago, the boy who once was unsure of whether or not he wanted to complete his personal legend, now finds himself determined to finish until his dream is complete. Here he reminds us that he is indeed a dynamic character, who changes more than once throughout his journey. An interesting character, Santiago becomes one with whom the reader can relate to. He is even one with which we root for. He does not settle for his wealth and status and life with Fatima but rather embarks on an adventurous journey to discover his vocational calling. This is a quality that many readers must express content for with Santiago. He has a passion to succeed. He chooses to fully finish his calling and what he set out to do. I for one can relate, whether it be a sports game or a school paper, I like to finish what I have started. This is just one of the many ways in which we can relate and analyze Santiago.

The Alchemist Quote Log 2

“When you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it” (62).

            One of the many pieces of sagacious advice that the king gives to Santiago is that when one wants something, the universe will help one achieve their goal. If what the king says is true then this is definitely positive news. We all have vocational callings and want to achieve our goals so knowing that the universe will help us is encouraging. What I want to achieve in life is to graduate college with a good education and be able to have a job involved with sports. The king also tells Santiago to “never stop dreaming” (62). I should never stop dreaming either then. My dream may be to open up my own physical therapy clinic and according to the text I should never stop dreaming with the comfort that the universe will help me.