Jane Austen Stories: Pride and Prejudice Part 10

Podcast: Jane Austen Stories by NOISER
Narrator: Dame Julie Andrews
Episode Date: October 31, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode continues the masterful narration of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” (Chapters 25–26) by Dame Julie Andrews, capturing the emotional and social complexities gathering around the Bennet sisters in the aftermath of Charlotte Lucas’ engagement to Mr. Collins and the collapse of Jane’s budding romance with Mr. Bingley. The episode explores themes of practicality in marriage, social maneuvering, heartbreak, and familial expectations, all set against the backdrop of the Bennet family’s Christmas festivities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Charlotte Lucas’ Engagement and Mr. Collins’ Departure

• Mr. Collins takes solemn leave of the Bennets after confirming his engagement to Charlotte Lucas, offering further thanks and anticipating his “happiest of days.”
  • “He took leave of his relations at Longbourn with as much solemnity as before, wished his fair cousins health and happiness again, and promised their father another letter of thanks.” (02:12)
• Elizabeth’s Discomfort: Lizzie remains upset by Charlotte’s pragmatic choice, feeling the loss of idealistic romance in her friend’s decision.

2. Christmas at Longbourn; The Gardiners’ Arrival

• The arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner brings joy and perspective to Longbourn.
  • Mr. Gardiner is portrayed as “a sensible, gentlemanlike man, greatly superior to his sister...by nature as well as education,” surprising those who judge by social class. (03:01)
  • Mrs. Gardiner is elegant, intelligent, and a favorite of Elizabeth and Jane.
• Mrs. Bennet’s Lamentations:
  • She bemoans the missed opportunities—Jane’s disappointment with Bingley and Elizabeth’s refusal of Mr. Collins, worrying about the entailment of the Longbourn estate.
  • "It is very hard to think that she might have been Mr. Collins’ wife by this time, had it not been for her own perverseness." (04:25)

3. Jane’s Heartbreak, Bingley’s Absence, and Aunt Gardiner’s Advice

• Mrs. Gardiner gives pragmatic counsel, suggesting Jane join them in London for a change of scene.
  • "A young man such as you describe, Mr. Bingley, so easily falls in love with a pretty girl for a few weeks, and when accident separates them, so easily forgets her." (05:20 – Mrs. Gardiner)
• Elizabeth’s Skepticism about Bingley’s love being merely a victim of “accident of separation” and deeply suspects the interference of his friends, especially Mr. Darcy.
  • "It does not often happen that the interference of friends will persuade a young man...to think no more of a girl whom he was violently in love with only days before." (05:42 – Elizabeth)
• Clever Banter:
  • Elizabeth jokes about the signs of love:
    "Is not general incivility the very essence of love?" (06:10 – Elizabeth)

4. Wickham and Elizabeth: Growing Concerns

• Mrs. Gardiner becomes concerned by the growing rapport between Elizabeth and Wickham, recognizing the imprudence of a match without fortune.
• Mrs. Gardiner recalls her personal connections to Derbyshire and Pemberley, providing common ground for conversation with Wickham, who shares fresh gossip and his own story about Mr. Darcy’s treatment of him.
• Past Impressions: Mrs. Gardiner remembers hearing of Darcy as “a very proud, ill-natured boy.” (13:56)

5. Chapter 26: Mrs. Gardiner's Caution & Charlotte’s Wedding

• Mrs. Gardiner’s Gentle Warning:
  • “You are too sensible a girl, Lizzie, to fall in love merely because you are warned against it... Seriously, I would have you be on your guard. Do not involve yourself...in an affection which the want of fortune would make so imprudent.” (15:58 – Mrs. Gardiner)
• Elizabeth’s Response:
  • With humor yet respect, she promises caution:
    “I am not in love with Mr. Wickham. No, I certainly am not. But he is beyond all comparison, the most agreeable man I ever saw.” (16:40 – Elizabeth)
• Charlotte’s Wedding:
  • Mr. Collins marries Charlotte Lucas; Mrs. Bennet begrudgingly wishes them happiness.
  • Elizabeth and Charlotte reaffirm their friendship, with Charlotte inviting her to visit Hunsford.

6. Jane’s Life in London & the Bingley Disappointment

• Jane moves to London with the Gardiners, hoping (with little faith) to run into Mr. Bingley.
• Miss Bingley’s coldness is finally undeniable after weeks of absence and a cool, unsubstantial visit.
  • "I was perfectly resolved to continue the acquaintance no longer.” (28:00 – Jane, in her letter)
• Jane’s honest and forgiving disposition shines through, even as her heart is broken.

7. Wickham’s Attention Moves Elsewhere

• Elizabeth reports to Mrs. Gardiner that Wickham’s attentions towards her have lessened, shifting to a woman recently come into £10,000—which Elizabeth views with equanimity.
  • "My dear aunt, I am now convinced, that I have never been much in love...my feelings are not only cordial toward him, they are even impartial towards Ms. King." (32:30 – Elizabeth)
• Elizabeth’s maturity and lack of bitterness demonstrate true self-awareness.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mrs. Bennet’s Frustration:
  "The Lucases are very artful people indeed, sister. They are all for what they can get. I’m sorry to say it of them, but so it is." (04:51 – Mrs. Bennet)

• On Bingley’s Fickleness:
  "A young man such as you describe, Mr. Bingley, so easily falls in love with a pretty girl for a few weeks, and when accident separates them, so easily forgets her." (05:20 – Mrs. Gardiner)

• Elizabeth’s Wit on Love’s Symptoms:
  "Is not general incivility the very essence of love?" (06:10 – Elizabeth)

• Mrs. Gardiner on Prudence in Love:
  "Do not involve yourself or endeavor to involve him in an affection which the want of fortune would make so very imprudent." (15:59 – Mrs. Gardiner)

• Jane’s Graciousness in Disappointment:
  "My dearest Lizzy will, I am sure, be incapable of triumphing in her better judgment at my expense when I confess myself to have been entirely deceived in Miss Bingley’s regard for me." (28:00 – Jane, in her letter)

• Elizabeth Summing Up Her Feelings:
  "I am now convinced, my dear aunt, that I have never been much in love...my feelings are not only cordial toward him, they are even impartial towards Ms. King." (32:30 – Elizabeth)

Important Timestamps

• 00:39 – Dame Julie Andrews opens with a concise recap and orientation for the episode.
• 02:12 – Mr. Collins’ farewell after engagement to Charlotte Lucas.
• 03:01–04:51 – Arrival of the Gardiners, Mrs. Bennet’s grievances and complaints.
• 05:20–07:15 – Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth discuss Jane’s disappointment and the nature of young men in love.
• 13:56 – Reminiscences about Derbyshire, Pemberley, and a young, prideful Mr. Darcy.
• 15:58–18:05 – Chapter 26: Mrs. Gardiner’s caution to Elizabeth about Wickham; Lizzy’s promised restraint.
• 19:46–23:30 – Charlotte Lucas’ wedding and subsequent correspondence; Elizabeth’s complex feelings on her friend’s marriage.
• 25:45–29:15 – Jane’s letters from London, Miss Bingley’s coldness, and Jane’s acceptance of the situation.
• 32:30–34:40 – Elizabeth reflects maturely on Wickham’s attentions and her own unscathed heart.

Tone & Style

Narrated with warmth, dry humor, and insight by Dame Julie Andrews, this episode maintains Austen’s satirical yet compassionate outlook. It balances the heartbreaks and social maneuverings with flashes of wit and moments of emotional truth, true to both Austen and Andrews’ style.

Conclusion & Next Episode Teaser

The episode closes with Elizabeth and Jane at emotional crossroads: Jane resigns herself to the end of her romance, and Elizabeth sees her attachment to Wickham wane as his interest shifts elsewhere. The stage is set for new social entanglements as Elizabeth prepares for a visit to Hunsford, foreshadowing an encounter with the formidable Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

“In the next episode, Elizabeth leaves the familiarity of Longbourn and heads to Kent, hoping to repair a relationship that has come under strain. During an eventful few days away, Lizzie unexpectedly finds herself in the enormous, intimidating home of the formidable Lady Catherine de Bourgh. There she is forced to defend herself and her family from a scathing attack.” (35:55 – Dame Julie Andrews)

For those who missed the episode:
This installment is rich in character insight, social commentary, and subtle wit, offering a well-paced dramatic progression towards the novel’s central reckonings. Elizabeth and Jane’s travails serve as a window into both the limitations and the agency of women in Regency England.