In Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice the theme of appearance versus reality is a recurring one. Austen seeks to prove that often one's appearance hides one's true character. This concept is clearly evident in the case of Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham and how they appear to Elizabeth Bennet. From her first impressions of both Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham, Elizabeth comes to misguided conclusions about their true character. She later comes to realize that her judgments of Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham are inaccurate and incorrect. Throughout the entire novel, Austen demonstrates that the reality of an individual's true character can often be hidden by their appearance.
             Elizabeth's first impressions of Mr. Darcy are based on an appearance of his character rather than a realistic assessment of his decorum, background, and history. The first time Elizabeth meets Mr. Darcy at the Meryton Assembly she becomes prejudiced toward him. She perceives his behavior as cold and uninterested in her family and friends. Along with the rest of the people in Hertfordshire, Elizabeth agrees that Mr. Darcy is the, " proudest, most disagreeable man in the world." Elizabeth thinks Mr. Darcy sees himself as superior to others and notices he does not talk to anyone outside his class. Mr. Darcy's stoic and unfriendly manner increases every time Elizabeth sees him, and she becomes particularly hostile towards him.
             As opposed to Elizabeth 's first impression of Mr. Darcy, she had a very favorable initial meeting with Mr. Wickham. Mr. Wickham differs from Darcy in many ways. Wickham is outgoing, lively, and eager to fall into conversation. Wickham's friendly and polite mannerisms are quite the opposite of Darcy's, and Elizabeth takes an immediate interest to him. She believes him to be "far beyond" the other officers in the militia, &quo
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