Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice was originally titled First Impressions, as the characters in her novel often make judgments about their first impressions of people. These first impressions would later shape the characters' reputations. Reputation was important to members of English society in the nineteenth century. Your reputation could be ruined by a false word or a bad first impression. One's manners and character were what created one's reputation. Jane Austen focuses on reputation in Pride and Prejudice. Its two main male characters, Fitzwilliam Darcy and Charles Bingley, influence their reputations with their very different personalities. Although Darcy and Bingley are both wealthy and overall lovable people, Darcy's character is more cautious than Bingley's, and their opinions and families are different. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Darcy and Bingley have similar backgrounds and physical characteristics. Both men come from wealthy families. Darcy is much richer than Bingley, he owns a large estate called Pemberley while Bingley rents a smaller estate called Netherfield. More information is given about Darcy's family, such as his long association with George Wickham's family and his connection to Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Bingley's only known family are his two sisters. Physically, both men are handsome, Darcy more so than Bingley. Austen emphasizes Darcy's physical attributes early on, saying that he had a "handsome person, tall, handsome features, [and] noble appearance" (Austen 7); however, with Bingley he focuses on his ease in a crowd: “He had a beautiful face and simple, genuine manners” (Austen 7). It is interesting that Austen decides to describe Darcy physically before describing his character, while introducing Bingley's character upon his first meeting with the Bennets. This is probably because Darcy's character is explored in the rest of the novel, where Bingley's can easily be described briefly. Aesthetically, Darcy and Bingley are very similar. Although they may be physically and materially similar, Bingley and Darcy's first impressions in the novel are different. Bingley immediately presents himself as affable, outgoing, and pleasant, and pleases everyone at Meryton's ball (Austen 7); however, his friend Darcy, though “much handsomer,” seemed to have a “more forbidding and unpleasant countenance” (Austen 8). Darcy's character is much more guarded than Bingley's. Bingley does not hide any aspect of his character as his character is not as deep as Darcy's. Darcy's still waters run deep while Bingley is a shallow, bubbling stream; but how can such a nice person be friends with such an unpleasant person? Austen describes him this way: “Bingley was dear to Darcy for the ease, the openness, the suppleness of his character, though no disposition could afford a greater contrast to his” (Austen 12). Darcy enjoys Bingley's company because they are very different from each other, and because of Bingley's "ductility of character", he will do what Darcy wants ("Mr. Bingley"). Darcy and Bingley's respective characters make them completely compatible for their respective love interests. Jane Bennet says of Bingley: “He is just what a young man should be…sensitive, good-humoured, lively; and I have never seen such cheerful manners!” (Austen 10) These characteristics are what Jane looks for in a partner, so Bingley is her perfect partner. Darcy and Elizabeth are shy in crowds but outspoken in.