Jane Austen Stories – Pride and Prejudice Part 11

Host: Dame Julie Andrews (Narrator)
Podcast Network: NOISER
Date: November 4, 2025
Episode Focus: “A visit to Hunsford – Elizabeth’s new surroundings, the grandeur of Rosings, and a memorable encounter with Lady Catherine de Bourgh.”

Episode Overview

This episode continues Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, with Dame Julie Andrews elegantly narrating Elizabeth Bennet’s life as she leaves Longbourn, visits Jane in London, and arrives at the Collinses’ parsonage in Hunsford. The narrative covers Elizabeth’s observations of her hosts and acquaintances, culminating in their much-anticipated dinner at the imposing Rosings estate with the formidable Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recap and Family Updates (01:09)

• The episode opens with a brief summary:
  • Elizabeth’s Aunt and Uncle Gardiner visit for Christmas, warning her about Wickham’s lack of serious intentions due to her lack of fortune.
  • Wickham soon proves this true, showing attention to the wealthy Miss King.
  • Jane travels to London, but finds no distraction from her heartache over Mr. Bingley.

2. Elizabeth’s Journey to Hunsford (03:00)

• Elizabeth anticipates her trip to visit Charlotte (née Lucas) and Mr. Collins with growing eagerness, noting the change is welcome given her family’s quirks.
• The journey includes a stopover in London, where Lizzie reconnects with Jane and is cheered by her improved appearance.
• The visit with the Gardiners is joyful, filled with family warmth, shopping, and theatre. Despite Jane's efforts to remain cheerful, Lizzie learns her sister still feels the sting of Mr. Bingley's absence.

3. Wickham’s “Desertion” Discussed (06:30)

• Mrs. Gardiner gently teases Lizzie about Wickham’s shifting affections, questioning if he is mercenary for now courting Miss King.
• Lizzie retorts, reflecting on the thin line in society between prudence and avarice:
  • Quote:
    “Pray, my dear aunt, what is the difference in matrimonial affairs between the mercenary and the prudent motive? Where does discretion end and avarice begin?”
    – Elizabeth Bennet, [08:49]
• The conversation ends with Lizzie humorously dismissing men from both Derbyshire and Hertfordshire, proclaiming, “Stupid men are the only ones worth knowing, after all.” ([10:35])

4. A Summer Tour for Lizzie (11:30)

• Mrs. Gardiner invites Elizabeth on a summer tour of the English countryside, mentioning a possible trip to the Lakes District.
• Memorable Moment:
  • Lizzie’s joyful acceptance:
    “My dear, dear aunt, what delight, what felicity you give me. Fresh life and vigor. Adieu to disappointment and spleen!”
    – Elizabeth, [12:02]

5. Arrival at Hunsford Parsonage (13:00)

• The group travels to Hunsford, greeted by Mr. Collins and Charlotte.
• Mr. Collins is as pompous and formal as ever, showing off his home to Elizabeth, perhaps trying to make her regret declining his proposal.

6. Settling In and the Parsonage Routine (15:00)

• Elizabeth observes Charlotte’s practical contentment with her marriage and house management.
• Mr. Collins gives an exhaustive tour of his garden and estate, lavishing praise on every tree and especially Rosings, home to Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

7. First Sight of Lady Catherine and Miss de Bourgh (19:30)

• Elizabeth and Maria are summoned in excitement when Lady Catherine’s carriage appears.
• Amusing remarks abound as the group peeks at Lady Catherine and her sickly, diminutive daughter, Miss de Bourgh, from the window.

8. Invitation to Rosings (21:30)

• Mr. Collins rejoices at the party’s invitation to dine at Rosings, crowing over Lady Catherine’s “condescension.”
  • Quote:
    “The power of displaying the grandeur of his patroness to his wondering visitors, and of letting them see her civility towards himself and his wife, was exactly what he had wished for.”
    – Narration, [25:53]

A Highly Anticipated Dinner at Rosings

1. The Approach (26:25)

• Mr. Collins meticulously prepares his guests for the overwhelming grandeur at Rosings.
• Maria is nearly paralyzed with nerves, while Elizabeth remains composed, skeptical of the value placed on rank and money.

2. First Impressions of Lady Catherine (27:45)

• Lady Catherine is described as tall, formidable, and unsparingly authoritative.
• Elizabeth scrutinizes the sharp differences between Lady Catherine and her pale, quiet daughter.

3. Dinner Ordeal & Conversation (29:00)

• Dinner is lavish. Mr. Collins and Sir William heap effusive praise on every dish; Lady Catherine seems gratified with their awe.
• The ladies relocate to the drawing room, where Lady Catherine dominates the conversation—offering firm, unyielding opinions and advice, particularly on household management.

4. Lady Catherine’s Interrogation (32:15)

• Lady Catherine quizzes Elizabeth, focusing on her family, education, and social status.
  • Quote:
    “Five daughters brought up at home without a governess? I never heard of such a thing. Your mother must have been quite a slave to your education.”
    – Lady Catherine, [34:35]
• Elizabeth respectfully yet wittily parries Lady Catherine’s intrusive queries about her sisters, “out” status, and even her own age.
  • Memorable Exchange:
    • Lady Catherine: “You give your opinion very decidedly for so young a person. Pray, what is your age?”
    • Lizzy: “With three younger sisters grown up, your ladyship can hardly expect me to own it.” ([41:20])

Closing Moments

1. Games and Conversation (43:20)

• The party splits for cards; Lady Catherine talks incessantly at the quadrille table, while the other group’s conversation never rises above card play.
• Afterward, Lady Catherine determines the weather for everyone, and Mr. Collins is beside himself with gratitude for the invitation.

2. Elizabeth’s Reflections (46:00)

• Mr. Collins presses Elizabeth for her opinion of Rosings; she offers “favorable” remarks for Charlotte’s sake, but privately finds the experience far less impressive.
• The episode closes with a tease for the next installment: Darcy returns, Lady Catherine sharpens her tongue, and intrigue and new attractions are promised.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Wickham’s shifting affection:
  “If it were not allowable for him to gain my affections because I had no money, what occasion could there be for making love to a girl whom he did not care about and who was equally poor?”
  – Elizabeth Bennet ([09:13])

• On education and family:
  “We never had any governess.”
  “No governess? How was that possible?”
  – Lady Catherine and Elizabeth ([34:08])

• On younger sisters:
  “The last born has as good a right to the pleasures of youth as the first.”
  – Elizabeth ([39:11])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:09 – Recap of events and setup for Hunsford visit
• 08:49 – Lizzie and Mrs. Gardiner debate mercenary versus prudent marriage motives
• 12:02 – Lizzie accepts her aunt’s invitation to tour the Lakes
• 19:30 – First sighting of Lady Catherine and Miss de Bourgh
• 25:53 – Mr. Collins celebrates the Rosings invitation
• 27:45 – Arrival at Rosings, Lady Catherine and Miss de Bourgh described
• 34:08 – Lady Catherine interrogates Elizabeth about her upbringing
• 41:20 – Humorous exchange: Lady Catherine asks Elizabeth’s age
• 43:20 – Card tables: Lady Catherine dominates at quadrille

Tone & Style

• Narration by Julie Andrews is elegant, witty, and true to Austen’s language, preserving the novel’s layered irony and humor. Elizabeth’s sarcastic wit especially sparkles during her repartees with Lady Catherine.

Summary Conclusion

Part 11 is a richly entertaining episode, focusing on Elizabeth’s shift into new social circles, the comic absurdity of the Collinses’ life, and the overwhelming presence of Lady Catherine. It provides sharp social observation, memorable banter, and insight into Elizabeth’s evolving worldviews. Listeners are left eager for the next development—especially with the promise of Mr. Darcy’s impending reappearance and further drama at Rosings.

Next time: Elizabeth’s restful holiday is upset by encounters with Mr. Darcy and more machinations from Lady Catherine. Stay tuned for more wit, social maneuvering, and romantic intrigue!