Jane Austen Stories — Pride and Prejudice Part 4

Podcast Host: Dame Julie Andrews (Narrator)
Network: Noiser
Episode Date: October 9, 2025

Episode Overview

This immersive episode, beautifully narrated by Dame Julie Andrews, covers chapters 10 through 12 of Pride and Prejudice. The Bennet sisters, Elizabeth and Jane, continue their stay at Netherfield Park as Jane recovers from illness. This installment delves into the layered social interactions between Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, and the Bingley sisters—highlighting wit, rivalry, romantic tension, and the subtle maneuverings of Regency propriety. The episode closes as the sisters prepare to return home, setting the stage for new arrivals and drama in the Bennet household.

Key Discussion Points and Story Developments

1. Social Maneuvering and Drawing Room Dialogues

[01:11–19:37]

• Elizabeth's Observations: Elizabeth witnesses the verbal fencing between Mr. Darcy and Caroline Bingley as Darcy writes a letter, with Bingley's sisters exhibiting thinly-veiled rivalry and snobbery.
• Witty Dialogue and Character Study:
  • Caroline attempts to flatter and distract Darcy as he writes, but he answers dryly and evasively.
  • Bingley and Darcy compare writing styles, leading to an insightful mini-debate about humility, pride, and temperament.
  • Elizabeth’s quick wit stands out, especially as she playfully challenges Darcy’s views on yielding to friends’ requests.
• Quote Highlight:
  • Mr. Darcy: “Nothing is more deceitful than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast.” (08:20)
  • Elizabeth: “You have only proved by this, cried Elizabeth, that Mr. Bingley did not do justice to his own disposition. You have shown him off now much more than he did himself.” (11:35)

2. Music, Jealousies, and Unspoken Affections

[16:00–19:37]

• As music fills the drawing room, Miss Bingley tries to outshine Elizabeth, but Darcy’s attention remains subtly fixed on Elizabeth—something she notices with confusion and skepticism.
• Quote Highlight:
  • Elizabeth (to Darcy): “You wanted me, I know, to say yes, that you might have the pleasure of despising my taste, but I always delight in overthrowing those kind of schemes and cheating a person of their premeditated contempt. I have therefore made up my mind to tell you that I do not want to dance a reel at all. And now despise me if you dare.”
    • Darcy’s response: “Indeed, I do not dare.” (17:55)

3. Caroline Bingley’s Jealousy and Snide Remarks

[18:20–19:10, 21:05–24:30]

• In private, Miss Bingley gossips spitefully with Darcy, making pointed remarks about the Bennet family and attempting to undermine Elizabeth in Darcy’s eyes.
  • “I hope... you will give your mother-in-law a few hints, when this desirable event takes place, as to the advantage of holding her tongue... and endeavour to check that little something bordering on conceit and impertinence which your lady possesses.” (18:45)

4. Departure Plans and Netherfield Farewells

[24:30–28:45, 34:03–36:00]

• Elizabeth and Jane, attempting to leave Netherfield, face both overt and subtle resistance—most notably from Mrs. Bennet, who delays their carriage and subtly angling for more time for Jane and Bingley.
• Darcy is internally relieved to see Elizabeth leaving, thinking, “Elizabeth had been at Netherfield long enough. She attracted him more than he liked...” (35:35)
• The episode highlights the contrast in reactions: warm farewells from Jane’s hosts (particularly Bingley), icy politeness from the sisters, and Darcy actively avoiding Elizabeth.

5. A Return to Longbourn

[36:01–39:00]

• The sisters’ homecoming is met with tepid enthusiasm from Mrs. Bennet and understated warmth from Mr. Bennet.
• Their return brings a shift in household dynamics—including news from Lydia and Kitty about the local militia, foreshadowing coming events.

6. Foreshadowing New Arrivals

[39:01–40:30]

• The episode closes with tantalizing hints: “Two men who, in very different ways, will turn the lives of the Bennet sisters upside down. One will be a very unwelcome houseguest... The other... Mr. Wickham, a dashing mysterious militia officer.” (39:55)

Notable Quotes & Dialogue

• Mr. Darcy (on humility):
  “Nothing is more deceitful than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast.” (08:20)

• Elizabeth (wryly to Darcy):
  “You wanted me, I know, to say yes, that you might have the pleasure of despising my taste... Now despise me if you dare.” (17:55)

• Darcy (on pride):
  “Vanity is a weakness indeed. But pride, where there is a real superiority of mind, pride will always be under good regulation.” (28:00)

• Elizabeth (teasing Darcy’s self-regard): “I am perfectly convinced by it that Mr. Darcy has no defect. He owns it himself, without disguise.” (28:30)

• Darcy (revealing his emotional rigidity): “My good opinion, once lost, is lost forever. That is a failing indeed.” (28:58)

Important Segment Timestamps

• [01:11] – Recap and immersion into Netherfield’s social circles
• [08:20] – Darcy’s philosophy on humility and pride
• [11:35] – Elizabeth’s repartee regarding Bingley’s temperament
• [17:55] – Elizabeth and Darcy’s cheeky exchange about dancing
• [18:45] – Caroline Bingley’s snide remarks regarding the Bennet family
• [21:05] – Recounting the drawing room evening, focus on reading and social dynamics
• [28:00] – Discussion of pride, vanity, and ridicule
• [34:03] – Attempts at departure and farewells
• [39:00] – Foreshadowing of new arrivals and future drama

Memorable Moments & Thematic Highlights

• The subtlety and sharpness of Regency social sparring, especially as voiced by Julie Andrews, bring Austen’s dialogue to vibrant life.
• The ongoing rivalry and awkward friendship between Elizabeth and Caroline Bingley, who attempts both alliance and sabotage.
• Darcy’s growing fascination with Elizabeth, which he attempts to conceal, even as others (and Elizabeth herself) begin to suspect.
• The way Austen’s satirical humor cuts through polite conversation, particularly in the exchange of barbs between Lizzie and Darcy.

Tone & Language

The episode retains Austen’s wry, incisive, and gently ironic tone, perfectly matched by Julie Andrews’ poised narration. Dialogue is rendered faithfully in Austen’s original language, with an undercurrent of playful wit and barely-restrained emotional currents beneath social conventions.

Conclusion

This installment immerses listeners in a swirl of drawing room dynamics and inner conflicts at Netherfield. The growing attraction between Darcy and Elizabeth is matched by Caroline Bingley’s jealousy and Mrs. Bennet’s calculating hospitality. As Elizabeth and Jane finally depart for home, listeners are left anticipating the arrival of new, disruptive figures, promising further intrigue and sparks within the world of Pride and Prejudice.