Meryton Ball is also important for here we find that Elizabeth develops her prejudice against Darcy, at least in part, because she eavesdrops on his conversation. She overhears him say there are no women at the ball pretty enough for him to dance with.Elizabeth is deeply insulted, but rather than admit to this personal affront, she instead understands him as too proud. Since this is a novel all about propitious behavior, strict rules of conduct would have required her to walk away from that conversation, but instead she stays to listen in because she is curious. We see Charlotte do something similar when she walks over to the window in a later chapter to overhear a conversation about Lizzy's cousin, the silly Mr. Collins, and it is then she decides she will make a go at trying to marry him, now that Lizzy doesn't want him. Just as "seeing" is an important motif in the novel, so is "hearing," and the latter helps to set the theme of prejudice in motion at the Meryton Ball.
It is at this ball when Elizabeth develops her prejudice for Darcy. She fully believes that Darcy is responsible for Wickham's flight to London. When Darcy asks Elizabeth, she is so enraged by prejudice that there is substantial irony in her incensed question to him, "(do you) never allow yourself to be blinded by prejudice?” Elizabeth's prejudice towards Darcy will continue to increase, as will her misjudgment of him and his motives. Her largely unfounded prejudices begin at the Meryton Hall Ball.
What is the significance of ball parties in Pride and Prejudice?
In Pride and Prejudice ball parties are the shop window for the marriage market. They're an opportunity for families such as the Bennets to introduce their daughters to society, hoping that they will attract the attention of some rich, dashing young man who'll come along and sweep them off their feet. Though highly conventional, such formal gatherings give young ladies like the Bennets a rare chance to emerge from their parents' shadows and assert their individuality. As well as showing off their beauty, young ladies can also use these occasions to engage in relatively open conversation with members of the opposite sex, something they wouldn't get to do very often at home.
To a lesser extent, single men in possession of a fortune are also on display. After all, in a marriage market it takes two to tango. They too are objects; their wealth, good looks, and social standing are paraded openly before their prospective wives. And on such a shallow basis they, like the womenfolk, are judged accordingly. It is at one such soiree that Elizabeth immediately jumps to conclusions regarding the somewhat intimidating figure of Mr. Darcy. Though undoubtedly a fine specimen of a man, he also comes across as aloof, arrogant, and insufferably proud. Both Elizabeth's prejudice and Darcy's pride are reinforced by the superficial nature of the parties they are obliged to attend, where a high value is placed...
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on appearance and not much else.
What is the significance of ball parties in Pride and Prejudice?
Ball parties were really the only times when the girls had the chance to speak freely with the men they were interested on. Like, for example, Jane and Bingley's communication was only possible during those ball parties, and even Charlotte made a point of saying that Jane had to step up her game because ball parties seemed to be the only time she chatted with him.
As far as Elizabeth, she was able to also speak openly to Darcy during the second ball where they met. She made all her observations on him and she was actually able to score him off in a mini showdown that they had where she basically called him a snob for not dancing.
In general, balls were the parties that were understood as the "husband picking faires" and men were likely to make a strong acquaintance during a ball when the ladies show themselves at their brightest and prettiest, and where they also have the opportunity of demonstrating their talents in dancing and singing.