When Elizabeth is introduced to Mr.Darcy at the Long ball this starts a string of occurances thorugh which the two have to deal with a relationship of approach and then rejection. This is shown in four seperate instances involving proposals to dance. The very first is at the Long's ball, when Mr. bingley attempts to persuade Darcy into dancing with Elizabeth. Darcy refuses rather loudly stating that "She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me...."(chapter 3, Long Ball)
Seemingly uncaring or has not realized that Elizabeth can hear every word he utters. But Elizabeth cares very much. She is detremined never to allow Darcy to have the pleasure of pointing out her weaknesses again. "...I could easily forget his pride, if he had not mortified mine."(chapter 4)
The second incident occurs when Sir William Darcy puts Darcy in the spotlight and insists he invites Elizabeth to dance with him. But this time the once rejected Elizabeth is determined to refuse Darcy. "And taking her hand, (Sir William Lucas) wold have given it to Mr. Darcy, who although extremely suprised, was not unwilling to receive it, when she instantly drew back, and said with some discomposure to Sir William, 'Indeed, Sir, I have not the least intention of dancing. -I entreat you not to suppose I moved this way in order to beg you for a partner."(Chapter 6).
The third occurance between Darcy and Elizabeth takes place at Netherfield during Jane and Elizabeths stay there. Darcy's requests the honur of Elizabeth dancing a reel with him. Once again thoguh, Darcy is rejected Elizabeth replies with "...I have therefore made up my mind to tell you, that I do not want to dance a reel at all and now despise me if you dare"(Chapter 10, Netherfield). Suprsingly, instead of despising Elizabeth, Darcy is more interested than ever.
Darcys's final dance proposal takes place during the ball at Netherfield. This time, Darcy catches Elizabeth off guard. Elizabeth is talking to Charlotte Lucas, when darcy takes her by suprise with an invitation yo dance. She is so surised she accepts his propsal without a secnd thought, wherupon he immediatly walks away. While dancing with darcy Elizabeth is "amazed at the dignity at which she was arrived in being allowed t stand opposite to Mr. Darcy, and reading in her neighbours' looks their equal amazement in beholding it"(Chapter 18, Netherfield Ball). The seriousness of Elizabth dancing with Dacry contrasts with her emabarressment of dancing with Mr.Collins. Unfortuntely for the couple, by the end of this last dance they part silently and are mutually uneasy over the feelings that the experience calls upon.
Throughout Pride and prejudice, dance emphasizes the themes of courtship and marriage. Only after forming initial matches on the dance floor can Elizabeth and Darcy and jane and mingley progress to the next stage, which i scourtship which may then lead to marriage! Therefore dance fullfills its primary function in the novel, just as it did in Austen's society. Marriage was seen as a reflection of social status.
