English teacher Kelly Corallo recently reread “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen. She read it for the first time when she was about 14 and has reread it almost every year since then.
“It’s just one of those things that I keep coming back to,” Corallo said.
“Pride and Prejudice” is a frenemies to lovers romance, but it is also a coming-of-age story revolving around a young woman in the early 19th century. Throughout the book, protagonist Elizabeth Bennet strives to find her place in a world that is set against her and her sisters. The women must fight against misogyny in order to survive and make the most of their situation.
“I loved the characters so much,” Corallo said. “You have characters who make genuine transformation as opposed to superficial transformation for others.”
She appreciates how the characters learn to recognize and take accountability for their own faults. Upon the reflection of their mistakes, the characters are able to grow and become better people which develops the idea that every individual carries the potential for good.
“First impressions oftentimes do not reveal all aspects of character,” Corallo said.
The book illustrates how jumping to conclusions based on first impression has consequences to all involved. In order to avoid these consequences, it is crucial to keep an open mind when creating judgments about other people. First impressions should not alone dictate how a person should be perceived.
“It’s so beautifully written,” Corallo said. “It’s such a foundational text for a lot of the different romance novels we have now.”
Corallo highly recommends “Pride and Prejudice” for anyone who loves to read and truly appreciates the art of literature. It is a story that will stick with you long after your first read.