The Imber community is first introduced in the novel through Dora's eyes, in chapter two. As soon as she arrives she is already looking away, feeling that she will be judged, and so the very first impression that is given of the Imber community is, from her perspective, of a condemning religious nature and as no other notion is portrayed, this is the first impression that the reader receives also. Before even entering the community …
showed first 75 words of 960 total

showed last 75 words of 960 total
…her excuse, "a little religious rule that we try to follow". Patchway who 'was indifferent to not belonging... gazed morosely at Dora'. He takes the view that the community is made up of foolish people, and this can be seen as a valid perspective. The first impression that the novel establishes of the community is not particularly positive, as it implies that deception is rife, the religious aspect is contrived and the people are self-centred.