] So much of the humor in these early chapters revolves around the narrator and her negative voice when describing the characters

I also found this to be a fascinating observation - thanks for making it!! There were (relatively) minor characters introduced without many negatives - Mrs. Moreland in Ch. 1 and Mr. Allen (who has no negative statements at all - but only has 2 statements about him made!;) in Ch. 2.

Speaking of introducing characters - did you notice how Isabella is introduced? There are actually no negatives there either about her person - but she's only described from the outside! Her actions, on the other hand, are described in detail and you're left with the job of putting actual descriptive words to her personality yourself!!

After telling you everything that Catherine is NOT in Ch. 1, the re-introduction of her in Ch. 2 is amazingly positive. So right before she sets out for her horrid and wonderful adventure to Bath - JA gives us a paragraph of things that she really is "in case we miss it along the way"! I found that really interesting - especially since the list is overblown or unrealistic - she's not perfect, beautiful, saintly - she's basically "nice"!