Jane Austen Stories

Pride and Prejudice Part 9

Host/Narrator: Dame Julie Andrews
Date: October 28, 2025

Overview

This episode continues Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” exploring the fallout from Mr. Collins’ unexpected proposal to Elizabeth Bennet, Charlotte Lucas's surprising engagement to him, and the deepening heartache over Mr. Bingley's sudden withdrawal from Jane Bennet. Narrated in Dame Julie Andrews’s gentle, knowing style, the episode covers Chapters 22 to 24. The tone is wry, insightful, and sympathetic, perfectly capturing Austen’s wit and subtle social commentary.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recap and Setting the Stage (01:39–03:15)

• Julie Andrews revisits Mr. Collins’ rejected proposal to Elizabeth and the distress his persistence caused.
• Jane’s romantic hopes are dashed by Bingley’s sudden departure; his connection to Mr. Darcy’s sister Georgiana is introduced, fueling Elizabeth's suspicion of interference.
• The scene is set for the Bennet family’s dinner with the Lucases, hinting at further surprises.

Quote:

“Elizabeth was thoroughly taken aback by Mr. Collins’ offer of marriage, and his bungled and charmless proposal hardly stole her heart.” — Julie Andrews [01:57]

2. Charlotte Lucas’s Calculated Choice (03:15–13:30)

• Charlotte Lucas endeavors to divert Mr. Collins from further proposals to Elizabeth by encouraging his attentions toward herself.
• Mr. Collins, eager to avoid another public refusal, discreetly proposes to Charlotte, who accepts him with practical motivations rather than romantic inclination.

Memorable Moment:
Charlotte’s pragmatism is sharply contrasted with Elizabeth’s ideals.

“Marriage had always been her object…it must be their pleasantest preservative from want. This preservative she had now obtained, and at the age of 27, without having ever been handsome, she felt all the good luck of it.” — Narrator [11:35]

• Charlotte worries about Elizabeth’s reaction but values security over friendship disapproval.

3. Family and Social Reactions to the Engagement (18:08–25:00)

• Sir William Lucas delivers the news to the Bennet family. Mrs. Bennet incredulously refuses to believe it, while Lydia jokes about Collins’s intentions toward Lizzy.
• Elizabeth confirms the news, navigating between her mother’s outrage and Jane’s gentle surprise. Mr. Bennet is dryly amused, noting the supposed sensibleness of Charlotte.
• The Lucas family celebrates the match, savoring their social triumph over the Bennets.

Quote:

“It gratified him…to discover that Charlotte Lucas, whom he had been used to think tolerably sensible, was as foolish as his wife…and more foolish than his daughter.” — Mr. Bennet [23:30]

• The engagement sets off a chain of resentments and social calculations, especially for Mrs. Bennet and Lady Lucas.

4. Strain on Elizabeth and Charlotte’s Friendship (25:01–29:42)

• An awkward conversation between Charlotte and Elizabeth reveals their diverging values about marriage.
• Elizabeth struggles to comprehend Charlotte’s decision, seeing her friend’s choice as a “most humiliating picture.”
• A silence grows between them, and Elizabeth finds herself more anxious for Jane’s fate.

5. Jane’s Heartbreak Confirmed (30:56–39:00)

• A letter from Caroline Bingley makes Bingley’s London departure official, ending Jane’s hopes.
• The letter glows with praise for Miss Darcy and hints at a match between her and Bingley.
• Jane tries to mask the depth of her disappointment, while Elizabeth, both protective and frustrated, scorns the Bingleys’ interference and Darcy’s influence.

Quote:

"You doubt me? ...He may live in my memory as the most amiable man of my acquaintance, but that is all. I have nothing either to hope or to fear, and nothing to reproach him with. Thank God I have not that pain.” — Jane Bennet [36:00]

Elizabeth’s Cynicism:

“The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it. And every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of either merit or sense.” — Elizabeth Bennet [38:21]

6. Social Fallout and Household Dynamics (39:01–46:44)

• Mrs. Bennet’s distress over her daughters’ marital prospects intensifies; she fixates on the entail and her own perceived injustices.
• Mr. Bennet offers ironic comfort, suggesting Lizzie find heartache in order to gain social distinction.
• The family finds temporary distraction in Mr. Wickham, whose grievances against Darcy are now openly discussed. Only Jane continues to hope for extenuating circumstances.

Mr. Bennet’s Wit:

“Next to being married, a girl likes to be crossed in love a little now and then… It gives her a sort of distinction among her companions.” — Mr. Bennet [42:53]

7. Lead-up to Christmas & Next Episode Tease (45:00–46:44)

• Lizzie and Charlotte’s friendship remains strained; Jane does her best to bear her disappointment privately.
• The episode closes with hints of Yuletide drama, new warnings about Mr. Wickham, and Jane’s upcoming trip to London.

Preview:

“It’s Christmas time… Mr. Wickham starts to show his true colours, and Jane, still lovesick, heads to London for a change of scenery... Are all the Bennet sisters destined for heartbreak?” — Julie Andrews [45:58]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Lines (with Timestamps)

• “The stupidity with which he was favoured by nature must guard his courtship from any charm that could make a woman wish for its continuance.” — Narrator (about Mr. Collins) [08:35]
• “Charlotte, the wife of Mr. Collins, was a most humiliating picture…” — Narrator [15:30]
• “You are too good. Your sweetness and disinterestedness are really angelic. …There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well.” — Elizabeth Bennet to Jane [36:36]
• “Women fancy admiration means more than it does, and men take care that they should.” — Elizabeth Bennet [38:53]

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [01:39] – Episode begins, recap of Mr. Collins’s proposal and Bingley’s sudden departure
• [03:15] – Dinner with the Lucases and Charlotte’s plan
• [08:30] – Collins proposes to Charlotte; her motivations
• [11:35] – Charlotte’s practical view of marriage
• [18:08] – Sir William Lucas announces the engagement to the Bennets
• [23:30] – Mr. Bennet’s sardonic reaction
• [30:56] – Jane receives Caroline Bingley’s letter
• [36:00] – Jane and Elizabeth discuss Jane’s heartbreak
• [39:01] – Bennet family household reactions and coping
• [42:53] – Mr. Bennet’s “crossed in love” banter
• [45:00] – Next episode preview

Episode Tone and Style

Julie Andrews maintains Austen’s satirical and affectionate approach, relaying both the social stakes and the personal emotions behind each maneuver. The episode is rich in dry humor, social observation, and the emotional nuance characteristic of Austen, with Andrews’ performance adding warmth, wit, and intelligence to each line.

This episode skillfully advances the narrative, balancing heartbreak with humor and providing insight into the characters’ choices and disappointments. Listeners new to “Pride and Prejudice” will find this summary a thorough and engaging guide to the installment’s pivotal moments.