Is it Love or Money?

In the beginning of the novel, Pride and Prejudice, the news spreads of a rich man coming to town. Here, Jane Austen introduces the main characters. She begins with Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, the parents of the Bennet family. She then introduces Mr. Bingley as a wealthy man who has come into town. He is depicted as caring, well mannered, nice and "agreeable." She introduces the rest of the Bennet family which includes Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia. She gives a small introduction and description about the whole family. Mrs. Bennet is a nervous mother who's only occupation is to marry each of her five daughters as well as possible. Mr. Bennet is a clever, calm, and intelligent man who favors Elizabeth for her quickness and uniqueness. Jane is a beautiful lady who sees no fault in anyone and charms everyone she meets. Elizabeth is also a very pretty lady who is quick in mind, true to her heart, honest, quick to judge, and kind. Mary is a quiet girl who likes to read and play the piano. Kitty and Lydia are silly girls who still have much to mature and learn. They love to flirt and dance with all they meet.

The next scene is a grand ball, which was made so that the whole county could meet this new comer. During the ball, Mr. Bingley meets the Bennet family, and charmed by the eldest, Jane, he asks her to dance twice, which she willfully accepts. Here, Austen introduces two new characters, Mr. Darcy a rich, proud, and disagreeable man and Miss Bingley a well mannered woman of much achievement and social standings. As Jane, Kitty, and Lydia dance the night away, Elizabeth overhears a conversation between Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley, "you had much better dance..." said Mr. Bingley. (pg 7) Mr Darcy responded, "your sisters are engaged, and there is not another woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with." (pg 7) Mr. Bingley, insisting on finding his friend a partner replied, "there is one of her sisters sitting down just behind you [Elizabeth], who is very pretty and dare i say, very agreeable." (pg 7) Again in retaliation Darcy responds, "She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me;..." (pg 7) With this, the whole county became disgusted with his presence. He was seen as a conceited and proud man who happened to have a great fortune, but it was made known that he would never have a chance with any of the Bennet girls.

I most certainly agree with the Bennet girls. A man can be handsome, rich, and well mannered, but if he doesnt have the personality to match, then he is not worth being with. Looks and money come and go. A personality is what stays with you for a lifetime, that is why you should never judge a man by his looks just like you should never judge a book by its cover. You never know what the inside could look like.