Pride and PrejudiceHow significant is the first ball tothe rest of the novel?

Mrs Bennet comes across to be very much in control of her life and surroundings. She is a very nosey woman who finds enjoyment from other peoples business and privacy. Mrs Bennet also likes to know everything that is going on around her. If any subject of her interests occur in conversation, she would feel obligated to find out every detail of such an event, person etc. just to make sure that she has the advantage over anyone and everyone else.

Mr Bingley is very good looking and has a very good personality. The general opinion of Mr Bingley when we first meet him is that he has very fine looks, with easy, unaffected manners and personality. He is a very likable man who can easily get along with a lot of people. Bingley presents himself very well towards the women by introducing himself to them and then asking them to dance. He is sensible, good humoured, lively and very good mannered. "Mr Bingley was good looking and gentlemen-like he had a pleasant countenance and easy, unaffected manners"..."Mr Bingley soon made himself acquainted with all of the principal people in the room; he was lively and unreserved and danced every dance." Mr Bingley is shown to be a very kind and attentive man. Mr Bingley was also angry that the ball finished so early and promised that he shall hold a ball at his house to be more acquainted with the people of Netherfield.

Mr Darcy exhibits his pride by being prejudice against most of the people at the ball, and the fact that he will only converse and dance with the people of his own party. "I certainly shall not. You know how much I detest it, unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. At such as an assembly as this it would be insupportable. Your sisters are engaged, and there is no other woman in this room whom it would not be a punishment to stand up with." ... "She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no humour at present to give consequence to women who are slighted by other men." Because of his pride and class-consciousness, Darcy refuses to even consider her as a dancing partner. By insulting the women in the room, Mr Darcy is found to be rude resulting in him seeming to be too proud, arrogant and obnoxious.

Elizabeth doesn't make any sort of protest against Mr Darcy or his insults against her looks, wealth and family connections. She does not like Mr Darcy because of what he had said about her that he was ungracious towards her. Elizabeth's quickness to judge Mr Darcy's pride prevents her from seeing the good side of his character. Because of his pride and class-consciousness Elizabeth's prejudice forces her to believe malicious comments made against Darcy which aren't entirely truthful. These first impressions results in personal and public conflicts between them. He then tries to prove himself to her whilst trying to win over her love for him.

The plot revolves around Elizabeth and Darcy's love for one another. When Mr Darcy falls in love with Elizabeth, he is attracted to her fine eyes, elegant figure, enthusiasm, quick wit and intelligence. 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.