Discussions about Jane Austen: Mansfield Park

erinn l said:

“I just finished Mansfield Park for the first time. I'm still digesting it a few weeks later, it wasn't the most exciting of Austen's novels, it had a lot of slow moments, meanderings, and it took me a bit of perseverance to finally reach the end, but I did and I'm glad to have accomplished it. I must admit Fanny wasn't the most exciting of characters, she was quite beaten down and kept in her place, and very accepting of it all. It's true though she resisted when it was most important, and her gentleness and goodness was finally recognized by many of the people around her who had dismissed her, her uncle and aunt, most specifically, her uncle. I felt the book did portray what it was like to be a female in that day and age, amongst other things, the stupid innanity of the daily life of the rich, filled with frivolous activities, the extreme arrogance of the nobility, the difficulty of being the second child, or being poor. Edmund must find his way in the world, and while he will receive a financial stipend from his father, it will be nothing to compare to his brother Tom's inheritance, whom for most of the book you feel doesn't in any way deserve it. Fortunately Tom's brush with death brings him around to sobriety and he settles into the responsibility of his birthright. The uncle realised too late his mistakes in fathering, Austen brings it out well throughout the book how his own children and Fannie are all afraid of him and relieved he is gone, disappointed when he returns, but then upon his return only Fanny is able to see and benefit from the change in him, as he recognizes the woman she has become and begins to value her as a person much more than in the past, and he compares her to his own daughters, both of whom had access to good education and the benefits of money, but lacked a seriousness about life that sometimes depravation can bring. The Aunt Norris was a horrid woman, small-minded and gossipy, she rather irritated me, but I was glad to see her get her just reward in being Maria's custodian during banishment. On a final note, though I could go on and talk about Fanny's own family and her sad visit home, or Henry's passion for Fanny and her resistance of him, I want to note that the marriage of first cousins in Britain and other countries outside of the States is acceptable and happens. I had the same question when cousins married in another British novel, and discovered to my shock that this does happen.”

posted Wednesday, August 6 2008

khadija said:

“There is no taboo against first cousins marrying each other (but in other parts of the world it’s a taboo). Edmund’ s brother William is one of my favorites, how he stand up to his father and aunt Mrs. Norris hate or love she is one piece of work. (I ways believe that in every family there is an Aunt Norris). And Fanny’s she is one very strong lady, she know whet she want even though it would have been much easier to go along with what her relations felt was best for her. And Edmund at a point I felt sorry for him. I just love how the story comes to life.”

posted Friday, July 4 2008

cathy k said:

“Isn't there some kind of taboo against first cousins marrying each other? I really enjoyed this book, but I got confused at the end. I see how Fanny and Edmund are good for each other, but they are cousins! Or, did I miss something?”

posted Saturday, June 14 2008

fatherofhollywood said:

“Among Austen devotees, Pride and Prejudice is usually regarded as being her best work, but I admit that I think a little differently. While of course P&P is one of the great works of literature and certainly deserves its place.

There are quite a few people that seem to think that Fanny and Edmund are much too dull to make a good hero and heroine, but I would beg to differ. Fanny is to me a very real character and not as woodenly perfect as she is sometimes made out to be- she can become angry, jealous and even occasionally depressed and the fact that she does not have the freedom to vent these negative emotions doesn't mean that she doesn't have the capacity or wish to. I have also heard it said that she doesn't have the courage to stand up for herself, but I would point out that she did so at the time that it was really important, even though it would have been much easier to go along with what her relations felt was best instead.

Edmund also should be given the credit that he deserves- it is true that he spends much of the novel under the delusion of his love interest being what she really never was, but when he finally understands it, his anger at himself for not recognizing it sooner and his strong desire to make amends for it was enough to make me immediately forgive him for his past mistakes.

Many of the other characters also deserve some notice as well- Fanny's brother William is one of my very favorites in any Austen novel, and her horrible aunt Mrs. Norris is arguably one of her cruelest villains. Really, I can't think of any weak links- every character is delineated in a stinking and lifelike way, and none seem to be one-dimensional, even when they are minor and not integral to the main story.

In closing, I would point out that while a reader in the mood for something "light, bright and sparkling" might not really appreciate Mansfield Park as much, anyone in need of a good, solid and fascinating novel should not pass it up. ”

posted Thursday, September 27 2007 ( | view 1 reply )

referencegoddess said:

“So, how do other folks feel about this issue:

Fanny Price: self-righteous drip, yea or nay?

I say Nay!

Fanny is in a very tough spot - the classic poor relative. Turning down Mr. Crawford (boo, hiss) took a great deal of inner strength. And she isn't perfect - she thinks uncharitable thoughts, she just doesn't voice them (we have Aunt Norris for that position, thank you!)

Hmm, that could be another whole line of discussion - most horrible (as in you would not want to be stuck in a railway carriage with them) Austen character in a female role, in a male role.
Aunt Norris vs. Lady Catherine vs. Caroline Bingley vs. Elizabeth Elliot...you get the idea.”

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Mansfield Park

by Jane Austen

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