Prepared Notebook Entry: Pride & Prejudice Entry

Passage:

“My dear Miss Eliza, why are not you dancing?- Mr. Darcy, you must allow me to present this young lady to you as a very desirable partner. You cannot refuse to dance, I am sure, when so much beauty is before you.” And taking her hand, he would have given it to Mr. Darcy, who, though extremely surprised, 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 that I moved this way in order to beg for a partner.”
Mr. Darcy with grave propriety requested to be allowed the honour of her hand; but in vain. Elizabeth was determined; nor did Sir William at all shake her purpose by his attempt at persuasion. (21)

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Analysis:


The fact that Mr. Darcy is “extremely surprised” by Elizabeth’s hand to an extent shows his conceited and proud nature as a character. Also, the narration states not that he is willing to accept her hand, but that he is ‘not unwilling’ further suggesting a bit of resentment and hesitation. However, to Mr. Darcy’s surprise, Elizabeth draws her hand back from him and does not offer to dance with him. In this way, Elizabeth establishes herself as a sort of non-conformist to her society’s expectations. She refuses to dance with a wealthy single man that may show some interest in marrying her. In this way, she is very unlike her sister and goes directly against her mother’s wishes. In an attempt to redeem himself, Mr. Darcy tries to convince her to dance with him, but again, Elizabeth refuses. Ironically, it is Elizabeth’s pride that gets in the way of her dancing with Mr. Darcy. Simply, the two are too proud to dance.

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