Jane Austen Stories: Pride and Prejudice – Part 5

Host & Narrator: Dame Julie Andrews
Date: October 13, 2025
Podcast: Jane Austen Stories (Noiser Network)

Overview

This episode of Jane Austen Stories brings listeners to pivotal early chapters of Pride and Prejudice, focusing on the introduction of Mr. Collins to the Bennet family and the first encounters with the enigmatic Mr. Wickham. The narrative captures the mix of comedy, social maneuvering, and brewing intrigue that sets the stage for the novel’s central conflicts. Through Dame Julie Andrews’ rich narration, listeners experience the intricate blend of wit, awkwardness, and tension that Austen so expertly crafts.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Arrival of Mr. Collins (00:56–19:30)

• Mr. Bennet Announces a Surprising Letter:
  At breakfast, Mr. Bennet reveals they've received a letter from his cousin, Mr. Collins—unexpectedly stirring curiosity in the household.

  “I have reason to expect an addition to our family party.” — Mr. Bennet (02:00)

• Explanation of the Entail and Family Concern:

  • Mrs. Bennet laments the entailment of the estate, fearing for her daughters’ future security.
  • Jane and Elizabeth attempt to explain the inheritance laws, to little avail.

• Introduction to Mr. Collins’ Character:

  • Mr. Collins, a clergyman recently favored by Lady Catherine de Bourgh, writes with self-importance and excessive deference to his patroness.
  • The Bennet family is amused and bemused by his pompous letter, particularly his formal apologies for inheriting Longbourn and his promise of possible “amends” to the daughters.

• Mr. Collins Arrives at Longbourn:

  • He is punctual, polite, and eager to ingratiate himself.
  • His immediate flattery towards the Bennet daughters, particularly Jane, and effusive praise for the household furnishings, impress but also bemuse his hosts.
  • Notable moment: Mr. Collins mistakes the daughters’ role, complimenting the dinner and attributing the cooking to them—leading to a long, awkward round of apologies to Mrs. Bennet.

2. Mr. Collins’ Admiration for Lady Catherine de Bourgh (19:31–24:44)

• Dinner Conversation Shifts:

  • Mr. Bennet skillfully prompts Mr. Collins to discuss Lady Catherine, unleashing a torrent of praise for his patroness and her daughter.
  • Mr. Collins regales the family with tales of Lady Catherine's kindness and detailed involvement in his home, as well as her advice he should marry soon.

• Mr. Bennet’s Dry Wit:

  • He slyly teases Mr. Collins about his “talent of flattering with delicacy,” underscoring the absurdity of Mr. Collins’ self-importance.

  • “May I ask whether these pleasing attentions proceed from the impulse of the moment, or are the result of previous study?” — Mr. Bennet (23:49)

  • Collins, earnest and oblivious, answers sincerely, unaware of the jest.

• The Reading Incident:

  • After dinner, Mr. Collins is invited to read aloud but recoils from a circulating library novel. He chooses Fordyce’s Sermons, quickly losing his audience.
  • Lydia interrupts with local gossip, offending Mr. Collins, who pompously withdraws from reading, opting to play backgammon with Mr. Bennet instead.

3. Mr. Collins’ Intentions and Social Maneuvering (24:44–29:40)

• Understanding Mr. Collins:

  • A brief narrative section summarizes Collins: not sensible, poorly educated, with a mix of humility and self-importance stemming from his upbringing and sudden status.
  • His plan: to atone for inheriting by marrying one of the Bennet daughters—initially Jane, but, upon finding her “likely to be engaged,” swiftly shifts his interest to Elizabeth.

• Mrs. Bennet’s Manipulation:

  • Mrs. Bennet subtly encourages Collins away from Jane and towards Elizabeth, fueled by her ever-present marriage ambitions.

4. The Party Encounters Mr. Wickham (29:41–34:10)

• A Walk to Meryton:

  • Lydia and her sisters, joined by Mr. Collins, stroll to Meryton. The atmosphere is light, the younger girls intent on spotting officers.
  • An encounter with Mr. Denny, who introduces his handsome friend, Mr. Wickham, instantly captures the Bennet girls’ attention.

• First Impressions of Mr. Wickham:

  • Wickham is charming, courteous, and attracts immediate interest from the entire party.
  • The group’s conversation is interrupted by the arrival of Darcy and Bingley. A charged moment passes as Darcy and Wickham lock eyes, both visibly affected—Elizabeth is “all astonishment at the effect of the meeting” (33:40).

• Aftermath and Social Calls:

  • The ladies visit Mrs. Phillips, who plans a gathering, and Wickham is included in the invitation list, exciting the girls.

5. Gossip, Speculation, and the Unfolding Mystery (34:11–38:50)

• Elizabeth and Jane Discuss Darcy and Wickham:

  • Elizabeth confides in Jane about the strange, tense exchange between the two men—neither sister can explain it, but curiosity is piqued.

• Mr. Collins’ Reflections:

  • Mr. Collins continues to shower compliments, praising Mrs. Phillips as nearly the equal of Lady Catherine and her daughter.
  • His awkward self-importance and formality remain sources of amusement and embarrassment for the Bennet family.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Inheritance:

  “It is a grievous affair to my poor girls, you must confess. Not that I mean to find fault with you, for such things I know, are all chance in this world.” — Mrs. Bennet (10:30)

• On Mr. Collins:

  “Can he be a sensible man, sir?”
  “No, my dear, I think not. I have great hopes of finding him quite the reverse.” — Elizabeth & Mr. Bennet (12:30)

• On Lady Catherine:

  “She has been graciously pleased to approve both the discourses, which I have already had the honour of preaching before her... She made not the smallest objection to my joining in the society of the neighbourhood… She had even condescended to advise me to marry as soon as I could...” — Mr. Collins (21:10)

• On Wickham and Darcy’s Meeting:

  “Both changed colour, one looked white, the other red… What could be the meaning of it? It was impossible to imagine. It was impossible not to long to know…” — Narration (33:40)

• On Mr. Collins’ Marital Intentions:

  “His plan did not vary on seeing them… But for the first evening she [Jane] was his settled choice. The next morning, however, made an alteration…” — Narration (28:00)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:56 – Recap and the Bennets receive news of Mr. Collins
• 02:30 – Mr. Bennet reads Mr. Collins’ letter
• 08:55 – Discussion of the entail and Mrs. Bennet’s distress
• 13:00 – Mr. Collins arrives and admires everything
• 19:31 – Dinner conversation: Mr. Collins on Lady Catherine
• 22:05 – Mr. Collins on flattering compliments; Mr. Bennet’s dry humor
• 24:00 – Mr. Collins attempts to read Fordyce’s Sermons
• 24:44 – Analysis of Mr. Collins’ background and marital ambitions
• 27:00 – Mrs. Bennet steers Mr. Collins towards Elizabeth
• 29:41 – Walk to Meryton; introduction to Mr. Wickham
• 32:50 – Awkward encounter: Wickham and Darcy lock eyes
• 34:11 – Mrs. Phillips’ invitation and the girls’ excitement
• 36:55 – Elizabeth and Jane discuss Darcy/Wickham tension
• 38:50 – Mr. Collins praises Mrs. Phillips

Tone & Style

Dame Julie Andrews’ narration balances gently wry humor with warm detachment evocative of Austen herself. The episode preserves Austen’s original dialogue and dry wit, leaning into the absurdities of social pretensions and the emotional undercurrents between characters. The mood shifts from comic to faintly suspenseful with the arrival of Wickham and the unsettling reaction he sparks in Darcy.

Episode Takeaways

• The Bennet family is thrown into confusion and amusement by the officious Mr. Collins, whose overtures to make “amends” underscore the marriage market pressures on the Bennet sisters.
• Mr. Collins’ obsequiousness to Lady Catherine and social ineptitude provide comic relief and highlight themes of class and patronage.
• The mysterious arrival of Mr. Wickham and his charged encounter with Mr. Darcy lay the groundwork for deeper intrigue and future revelations.
• The episode masterfully weaves humor, family maneuverings, and romantic tension, seamlessly setting up the next chapters.

Looking Forward

The closing preview teases further revelations about Mr. Darcy’s past and more social drama at the upcoming Netherfield ball—ensuring listeners are eager for the next installment.