http://www.myprideandprejudice.com/2009/08/who-needs-the-hursts-pride-and-prejudice%e2%80%99s-pair-of-parasites/ The book, the movies and the BBC adaptations Sun, 05 Sep 2010 01:02:56 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.3 hourly 1 http://www.myprideandprejudice.com/2009/08/who-needs-the-hursts-pride-and-prejudice%e2%80%99s-pair-of-parasites/comment-page-1/#comment-774 Stephen Norton Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:21:35 +0000 http://www.myprideandprejudice.com/?p=566#comment-774 In the 1995 version, Mr Hurst is played to perfection by Rupert Vansittart - the best example of the fact that even the minor characters in this production were realized beautifully. This actor does tend to be first call for roles playing boorish Englishmen (eg. Four Weddings and a Funeral) - and rightly so. I take your point, though - why would the fastidious Darcy want to associate with his friend's sisters and brother-in-law? In the 1995 version, Mr Hurst is played to perfection by Rupert Vansittart – the best example of the fact that even the minor characters in this production were realized beautifully. This actor does tend to be first call for roles playing boorish Englishmen (eg. Four Weddings and a Funeral) – and rightly so. I take your point, though – why would the fastidious Darcy want to associate with his friend’s sisters and brother-in-law?

]]> http://www.myprideandprejudice.com/2009/08/who-needs-the-hursts-pride-and-prejudice%e2%80%99s-pair-of-parasites/comment-page-1/#comment-752 Ken Grabach Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:26:40 +0000 http://www.myprideandprejudice.com/?p=566#comment-752 It seems to me that the purpose of the Hursts is to the reader. They demonstrate that people of high social standing can be as silly as lower ranks of gentlefolk. The Hursts, Mrs. and Mr., are as silly as are Mrs. Bennet and her younger daughters. Darcy despairs of Elizabeths relations in his first proposal, his pride and prejudices blinding him to the equally unsuitable relations who travel with him. And Mrs. Hurst gives Miss Bingley someone to discuss her own prideful prejudices about Elizabeth (what, she engages in this girl talk to her brother and his particular friend?) sometimes, but not always. The poor dear needs a confidant, and lacking a husband, has her sister. It seems to me that the purpose of the Hursts is to the reader. They demonstrate that people of high social standing can be as silly as lower ranks of gentlefolk. The Hursts, Mrs. and Mr., are as silly as are Mrs. Bennet and her younger daughters. Darcy despairs of Elizabeths relations in his first proposal, his pride and prejudices blinding him to the equally unsuitable relations who travel with him. And Mrs. Hurst gives Miss Bingley someone to discuss her own prideful prejudices about Elizabeth (what, she engages in this girl talk to her brother and his particular friend?) sometimes, but not always. The poor dear needs a confidant, and lacking a husband, has her sister.

]]> http://www.myprideandprejudice.com/2009/08/who-needs-the-hursts-pride-and-prejudice%e2%80%99s-pair-of-parasites/comment-page-1/#comment-576 Lyne Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:00:34 +0000 http://www.myprideandprejudice.com/?p=566#comment-576 this is something I found very upsetting with the 2005 version. Although I think you are quite right in your depiction of the Hursts as parasite, their presence is quite justified. It sorts of give you an idea of the idleness of "society" of the period. They made the contrast with the Bennetts even more jarring. Also one is unable to discern which one of the 2 sisters are more evil, Caroline is overtly condescending while Luisa is more underhanded about it...she draws out Jane so Caroline's daggers can hit their marks with more precision.... this is something I found very upsetting with the 2005 version. Although I think you are quite right in your depiction of the Hursts as parasite, their presence is quite justified. It sorts of give you an idea of the idleness of “society” of the period. They made the contrast with the Bennetts even more jarring. Also one is unable to discern which one of the 2 sisters are more evil, Caroline is overtly condescending while Luisa is more underhanded about it…she draws out Jane so Caroline’s daggers can hit their marks with more precision….

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