Jane Austen Stories: Pride and Prejudice – Part 3

Host: Dame Julie Andrews
Podcast: NOISER
Release Date: October 6, 2025

Episode Overview

In Part 3 of Pride and Prejudice, Dame Julie Andrews narrates the continuing saga of the Bennet sisters as they grapple with illness, social maneuvering, and the ever-present tension between wit and propriety. The episode covers the events of Chapters 8 and 9, focusing on Jane Bennet’s illness at Netherfield Park and Elizabeth’s interactions with the Bingleys, Mr. Darcy, and her own family. Listeners are treated to lively dialogue, biting wit, and a deepening of character dynamics as the forces of class, pride, and affection play out in the drawing rooms and parlors of early 19th-century England.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Jane's Illness and Elizabeth's Devotion

• Setting: Elizabeth stays at Netherfield to care for her ailing sister Jane, who is stranded at Mr. Bingley's home due to illness and Mrs. Bennet's matchmaking ploys (01:39).
• Social Awkwardness: Elizabeth senses she is an intruder among the Bingleys and their snobbish sisters, except for the kind and attentive Mr. Bingley.
  • "Their brother, indeed, was the only one of the party whom Lizzie could regard with any complacency. His anxiety for Jane was evident, and his attentions to herself most pleasing." (03:15)

2. The Bingley Sisters’ Gossip and Snobbery

• Once Elizabeth leaves the room, Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst gossip viciously about her lack of style, muddy hem, and “wild” appearance (04:05).
  • "She has nothing, in short, to recommend her, but being an excellent walker... She really looked almost wild." – Mrs. Hurst (04:48)
• Mr. Bingley defends Elizabeth’s appearance, noting she looked “remarkably well,” and Darcy chimes in that Elizabeth’s “brightened eyes” were due to her walk (05:24).
  • "Not at all... they were brightened by the exercise." – Mr. Darcy on Elizabeth’s eyes (05:46)
• The Bingley sisters’ preoccupation with class is shown through mockery of the Bennets' “low connections,” especially their uncle, an attorney in Meryton, and another relative near Cheapside.
  • "If they had uncles enough to fill all Cheapside... it would not make them one jot less agreeable." – Mr. Bingley (07:00)
  • "But it must very materially lessen their chance of marrying men of any consideration in the world." – Mr. Darcy's pragmatic retort (07:27)

3. Elizabeth’s Independent Spirit and Intellectual Discourse

• After avoiding cards, Elizabeth chooses a book, prompting Mr. Hurst’s shock and Miss Bingley’s mock praise for her supposed scholarly ways.
  • "Do you prefer reading to cards?... Miss Bingley despises cards. She is a great reader and has no pleasure in anything else." (09:10)
• Elizabeth clarifies her character: "I am not a great reader, and I have pleasure in many things." (09:23)
• The conversation shifts to libraries and accomplishments. Darcy holds a high standard for the “accomplished woman,” listing an array of requirements from music, dancing, and languages to a cultivated mind through extensive reading (11:01).
  • "I am very far from agreeing with you in your estimation of ladies in general. I cannot boast of knowing more than half a dozen in the whole range of my acquaintance that are really accomplished." – Mr. Darcy (11:28)
  • "I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished women... I rather wonder now at your knowing any." – Elizabeth (12:06)
• Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley’s protestations are cut short as Mr. Hurst demands attention to the card game.

4. Family Visits and Social Faux Pas

• In the morning, Mrs. Bennet and the two youngest Bennet sisters visit Netherfield. Mrs. Bennet’s overt matchmaking and lack of subtlety are again on display (18:02).
  • Mrs. Bennet flatters the potential hosts while making it clear she wants Jane to remain at Netherfield, despite Jane feeling better.
  • "You will not think of quitting it in a hurry, I hope, though you have but a short lease." – Mrs. Bennet to Bingley (19:09)
  • Bingley responds affably: "Whatever I do is done in a hurry... At present, however, I consider myself as quite fixed here." (19:30)

5. Country vs. Town: A Clash of Values

• Elizabeth and Darcy spar over the amusements and characters found in country society versus town.
  • "The country can in general supply but few subjects for such a study... you move in a very confined and unvarying society." – Mr. Darcy (20:15)
  • "But people themselves alter so much... there is something new to be observed in them forever." – Elizabeth (20:28)
• Mrs. Bennet proclaims her preference for country life, to Bingley’s diplomatic approval, and continues boasting of Jane’s beauty.

6. Lydia’s Boldness and the Promise of a Ball

• Lydia, age fifteen and exuberant, pushes Bingley to fulfill his promise of hosting a ball at Netherfield, a prospect that delights Mrs. Bennet (26:24).
  • "I am perfectly ready, I assure you, to keep my engagement. And when your sister is recovered, you shall, if you please, name the very day of the ball." – Mr. Bingley (27:02)

7. Literary Reflection: Poetry and Love

• Elizabeth and Darcy discuss poetry as the food of love, with Lizzie humorously noting that poetry can as easily dry up a weak affection as nourish a strong one (25:16).
  • "I am convinced that one good sonnet will starve it [love] entirely away." – Elizabeth (25:56)
  • Darcy’s only response is a smile, punctuating their spirited rapport.

8. Underlying Tensions and Rivalries

• After Mrs. Bennet and her daughters leave, the remaining Netherfield party resumes their caustic commentary, though Darcy refuses to criticize Elizabeth, despite Miss Bingley's jibes (30:07).
  • "In spite of all Ms. Bingley's witticisms on fine eyes, Mr. Darcy could not be prevailed on to join in their censure of Lizzie." (30:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Prejudice and Affection:
  "It shows an affection for her sister. That is very pleasing."
  — Mr. Bingley defends Elizabeth’s muddy walk (05:38)

• On Women’s Accomplishments:
  "All this she must possess... and to all she must yet add something more substantial in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading."
  — Mr. Darcy, describing the truly "accomplished woman" (12:05)

• On Reading vs. Cards:
  "I am not a great reader, and I have pleasure in many things."
  — Elizabeth, asserting her individuality (09:23)

• On Poetry and Love:
  "I have been used to consider poetry as the food of love." — Mr. Darcy (25:32)
  "But if it be only a slight thin sort of inclination, I am convinced that one good sonnet will starve it entirely away."
  — Elizabeth, with her characteristic wit (25:56)

• On Class and Connection:
  "If they had uncles enough to fill all Cheapside, it would not make them one jot less agreeable."
  — Mr. Bingley, dismissing class snobbery (07:00)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 01:39 — Recap and narrative resume at Netherfield
• 03:15 — Elizabeth at dinner: social dynamics and Bingley’s kindness
• 04:05 — The Bingley sisters gossip about Elizabeth’s appearance
• 05:24 — Discussion of Jane and Elizabeth’s family background and class
• 09:10 — Elizabeth chooses reading over cards; library conversation
• 11:01 — Debate on what constitutes an “accomplished” woman
• 18:02 — Mrs. Bennet and youngest daughters visit Netherfield
• 19:09 — Mrs. Bennet maneuvers to keep Jane at Netherfield
• 20:15 — Country vs. town: Elizabeth and Darcy’s philosophical spat
• 25:32 — Dialogue on poetry as the “food of love”
• 26:24 — Lydia requests a promised ball at Netherfield
• 30:07 — After the Bennets depart: Netherfield commentary

Tone and Style

Julie Andrews’ narration is elegant, measured, and gently humorous, preserving Austen’s original wit and irony. The conversations sparkle with social tension and understated barbs, and character flaws are affectionately highlighted rather than harshly mocked.

Conclusion / Teaser for Next Episode

As Jane’s health slowly recovers, the emotional and romantic stakes rise: Darcy’s interest in Elizabeth grows, jealousy stirs in Miss Bingley, and the promise of a ball brings anticipation. Listeners are left in suspense—will the simmering tensions and affections at Netherfield shift from verbal sparring to outright confrontation?

Teaser:
“In the next episode, tensions increase as Darcy and Lizzie continue to argue about everything, even her taste in music… could sabotage be forthcoming? Meanwhile, Jane and Bingley grow closer by the fireside. That’s next time on Jane Austen Stories: Pride and Prejudice.”

Perfect for Austen fans, romantic literature lovers, or anyone who enjoys a keenly observed comedy of manners in delightful audio form.