Elizabeth and Darcy's first encounter is at a ball, and Darcy's comments and behavior there set Elizabeth's prejudice against him. At first Darcy is admired by the townsfolk, but soon they find him "to be proud, to be above his company, and above being pleased" (6). Then Elizabeth overhears Darcy telling his friend that he will not dance, and that Elizabeth herself is only "tolerable; but not handsome to tempt [him]" (7). This remark sets her prejudice against Darcy, whom she scarcely knows, and follows her through part of the novel. Darcy's pride can be attributed to his upbringing, as he himself later tells Elizabeth that he was "given good principles, but left to follow them with pride and conceit" and was "spoilt by [his] parents, who... allowed, encouraged, almost taught [him] to be selfish and overbearing" (282). His pride and wealth therefore cause him to view poorer society, such as that of Eliza's family, with contempt. These feelings of pride and prejudice therefore set up Darcy and Elizabeth's initial
Elizabeth and Darcy's first encounter is at a ball, and Darcy's comments and behavior there set Elizabeth's prejudice against him. At first Darcy is admired by the townsfolk, but soon they find him "to be proud, to be above his company, and above being pleased" (6). Then Elizabeth overhears Darcy telling his friend that he will not dance, and that Elizabeth herself is only "tolerable; but not handsome to tempt [him]" (7). This remark sets her prejudice against Darcy, whom she scarcely knows, and follows her through part of the novel. Darcy's pride can be attributed to his upbringing, as he himself later tells Elizabeth that he was "given good principles, but left to follow them with pride and conceit" and was "spoilt by [his] parents, who... allowed, encouraged, almost taught [him] to be selfish and overbearing" (282). His pride and wealth therefore cause him to view poorer society, such as that of Eliza's family, with contempt. These feelings of pride and prejudice therefore set up Darcy and Elizabeth's initial