Home > Q&A by Experts > Literature >
Q

What Happened at the Netherfield Ball?

A

Without any doubt, the Netherfield ball is one of the essential scenes in Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice. The reason for it is that Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy dance together for the first time. Even though both are not satisfied with the dance, it is the first step in their complicated relationship.

Detailed answer:

The Netherfield ball party is an event of extreme importance. Young women have the opportunity to get acquainted with gentlemen or even find future husbands. Elizabeth Bennet heads for the ball to meet Wickham, who appeals to her. But to her great regret, he was absent. She finds out that the man has not come because of Mr. Darcy, who confounds her expectations. Thus, she feels contempt for the latter. On the other hand, Mr. Darcy is amazed by Elizabeth’s charm, and he is still not aware of his feelings towards the young woman.

Further, Mr. Darcy asks her to dance, and she agrees without thinking. It indicates that Elizabeth may already be in love with the man, though she does not want to admit so. Nevertheless, after being asked to dance, she told her friend, “Heaven forbid! That would be the greatest misfortune of all! To find a man agreeable whom one is determined to hate! Do not wish me such an evil.” After the dance, both Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are dissatisfied, though they are deeply touched by each other.

Answer's rating:
Updated:
Ask your Question
(We won’t publish it)
Cite This page
You're welcome to use this expert's answer in your assignment. Be sure to cite it correctly

Reference

IvyPanda. (2024, August 21). What Happened at the Netherfield Ball? https://ivypanda.com/q/what-happened-at-the-netherfield-ball/

Work Cited

"What Happened at the Netherfield Ball?" IvyPanda, 21 Aug. 2024, ivypanda.com/q/what-happened-at-the-netherfield-ball/.

References

IvyPanda. (2024) 'What Happened at the Netherfield Ball'. 21 August.

References

IvyPanda. 2024. "What Happened at the Netherfield Ball?" August 21, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/q/what-happened-at-the-netherfield-ball/.

1. IvyPanda. "What Happened at the Netherfield Ball?" August 21, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/q/what-happened-at-the-netherfield-ball/.


Bibliography


IvyPanda. "What Happened at the Netherfield Ball?" August 21, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/q/what-happened-at-the-netherfield-ball/.

Privacy Settings

IvyPanda uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, enabling functionalities such as:

  • Basic site functions
  • Ensuring secure, safe transactions
  • Secure account login
  • Remembering account, browser, and regional preferences
  • Remembering privacy and security settings
  • Analyzing site traffic and usage
  • Personalized search, content, and recommendations
  • Displaying relevant, targeted ads on and off IvyPanda

Please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy for detailed information.

Required Cookies & Technologies
Always active

Certain technologies we use are essential for critical functions such as security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and ensuring the site operates correctly for browsing and transactions.

Site Customization

Cookies and similar technologies are used to enhance your experience by:

  • Remembering general and regional preferences
  • Personalizing content, search, recommendations, and offers

Some functions, such as personalized recommendations, account preferences, or localization, may not work correctly without these technologies. For more details, please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy.

Personalized Advertising

To enable personalized advertising (such as interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. These partners may have their own information collected about you. Turning off the personalized advertising setting won't stop you from seeing IvyPanda ads, but it may make the ads you see less relevant or more repetitive.

Personalized advertising may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" of the information under California and other state privacy laws, and you may have the right to opt out. Turning off personalized advertising allows you to exercise your right to opt out. Learn more in IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy.