I would cherish opinions on what is the novel's most delightful line or sentence, among those that don't propel forward the plot, provide no significant lesson nor offer any great insight.
For me, that sentence is:
"If I were as rich as Mr. Darcy," cried a young Lucas, who came with his sisters, "I should not care how proud I was. I would keep a pack of foxhounds, and drink a bottle of wine a day."
I have always felt that P&P is a book where the characters come first, and the plot second. Even the minor characters. But with Mr Hurst, I do have a hard time. I feel like he's a plot device: Caroline needs the freedom to interact with Darcy -> married sister -> inattentive brother in law -> oblivious instant chaperone. Am I missing something?
This impression is so strong that I imagine Mr Hurst as breeches, a high-necked jacket and a low brimmed hat, stuffed with pillows and (wo)manhandled by Louisa.
EDIT: thanks to all commenters for the insights and the humour.
While adaptations tend not to cast tall performers in the role of Mr Collins, this is what the book tells us in Chapter 13 re his physical description:
>Mr. Collins [...] was a tall, heavy-looking young man of five-and-twenty. His air was grave and stately, and his manners were very formal.
So I tend now to imagine him as a tall, broad shouldered but stooping man, looming awkwardly in a way that makes it difficult to ignore him.
Many of his scenes become much more fun imagining him in fact as interpreted by Chris Hemsworth: all that hard gardening work has bulked him up!
A rejected gentleman does not press. After Elizabeth refused his first proposal, Darcy was in quite a bind. Renewing his proposal would be highly improper. He could not write to Elizabeth or visit or, in modern terms, stalk her. Visiting Bingley at Netherfield was his one opportunity to casually bump into Elizabeth for socially acceptable reasons... but he himself had removed Bingley to London. So he stews.
And then he comes back to Pemberley one day early from town, only to find Elizabeth on his literal doorstep. He still is not allowed to really re-engage with her. So, after the initial shock, he starts thinking fast about what he is allowed to do.
I am very impressed by how many social operations he launches. Among other things, he invites Mr Gardiner to fish trout. And so a headcanon conversation is born.
Mr Darcy and Mr Gardiner fishing trout in a stream.
Mr Gardiner breaks the silence to ask "Are you fond of trout, Mr Darcy?"
"In recent months, I have become very fond indeed of... trout." replies Mr Darcy
"And are you good at fishing it, Mr Darcy"
Mr Darcy genteelly snorts "Not at all. I try to fish...trout but very poorly."
"And what do you like about trout Mr Darcy?"
Darcy reflects for a moment. "The fine dark eyes. The brilliant complexion heightened by exercise. The lively disposition"
Mr Gardiner digests this for a long time.
"And what are your intentions about... trout, Mr Darcy?"
"I hope to see... trout gracing Pemberley for a very long time."
When the lake's full of trout
And the first proposal's a rout
That's a matrimony…
When there's a fortune from trade
And a sister's plot to be unmade
That's a matrimony…
When the parsonage beckons
And Lady Catherine reckons
That's a matrimony…
When a red coat's so shiny
And the commission so tiny
That's a matrimony…
That's a-matri-MO-ny!
A rejected gentleman does not press. After Elizabeth refused his first proposal, Darcy was in quite a bind. Renewing his proposal would be highly improper. He could not write to Elizabeth or visit or, in modern terms, stalk her. Visiting Bingley at Netherfield was his one opportunity to casually bump into Elizabeth for socially acceptable reasons... but he himself had removed Bingley to London. So he stews.
And then he comes back to Pemberley one day early from town to find Elizabeth on his literal doorstep. He still is not allowed to really re-engage with her. So, after the initial shock, he starts thinking fast about what he is allowed to do.
I am very impressed by how many social operations he launches. Among other things, he invites Mr Gardiner to fish trout. And so a headcanon conversation is born.
Mr Darcy and Mr Gardiner fishing trout in a stream.
Mr Gardiner breaks the silence to ask "Are you fond of trout, Mr Darcy?"
"In recent months, I have become very fond indeed of... trout." replies Mr Darcy
"And are you good at fishing it, Mr Darcy"
Mr Darcy genteelly snorts "Not at all. I try to fish...trout... but very poorly."
"And what do you like about.. trout Mr Darcy?"
Darcy reflects for a moment. "The shiny eyes. The brilliant complexion heightened by exercise. The lively disposition"
Mr Gardiner digests this for a long time.
"And what are your intentions about... trout, Mr Darcy?"
"I hope to see...trout roaming the Permberley estate for a very long time."