The unreliability of first impressions and subjective judgments is the subject of both Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" and Lionel Trilling's "Of This Time, Of That Place"; consequently, the works are worthwhile parallel studies for high school students. Austen, by means of irony and subtle characterization, dramatizes the need for constant re-examination of values and for courage to admit errors in judgment. Trilling's short story, which centers around a college English instructor and two of his students, makes us aware of the instructor's unconscious prejudices and thus leads us to question the possibility of achieving objectivity. Since Trilling's subleties of plot and language are quite complex, and elusive, "Pride and Prejudice" should probably be taught first. (MF)