The Meryton Ball in Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice How significant is the first ball to the rest of

the novel?

During the Meryton ball we meet all of the major and most important

characters of the novel. We have already met the protagonist in

previous chapters. During the ball, we get to understand Elizabeth’s

character a bit more and her attitude towards others in different

circumstances, situations and environments. Elizabeth is lively,

intelligent, witty and sensible. She can control her emotions maturely

in awkward situations. “Elizabeth remained with no very cordial

feelings towards him. She told the story, however, with great spirit

among her friends; for she had a lively, playful disposition, which

delighted in anything ridiculous.” This shows that she can control her

emotions in a mature fashion, in such a situation as that.

Mr Darcy is introduced to the novel in this chapter. He is one of the

major characters, especially in this chapter due to him being the main

topic of conversation from the moment he enters to the moment he

leaves the ball. Everyone openly agreed that he is the most handsome

and wealthiest man at the Meryton ball definitely more so than Mr

Bingley. “Mr Darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his fine,

tall person, handsome features, noble mien, and the report which was

in general circulation within five minutes, of his having ten thousand

a year. The gentlemen pronounced him to be a fine figure of a man, and

the ladies declared he was much handsomer than Mr Bingley, and he was

looked at with great admiration for about half of the evening.” This

shows that he is very much respected because of his wealth and

appearance.

Mrs Bennet comes across to be very much in control of her life and

surrounding...

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Darcy’s antagonist are the various obstacles that he has to overcome

in order to win over Elizabeth’s love. One of the obstacles which he

has to conquer is Elizabeth’s rude, offensive and careless mother and

also Elizabeth’s own prejudice against him. The climax of this plot is

the engagement of Elizabeth and Darcy. At first Elizabeth thought Mr

Darcy was exceedingly proud and she truly disliked him. In turn

Elizabeth realises the true worth of Mr Darcy.

When Darcy proposes a second time, he has lost his pride and she has

given up her prejudice. The climax occurs when she accepts his

proposal.

Chapter 3 is one of the most important parts of the whole entire novel

as you get introduced to most of the main characters, get to

understand the nature of their relationships and how they occur, and

also helps to foresee future relationships between them.