more than half the income which ought to be his’.
Sir Thomas visits Antigua (Leeward Islands) where he has financial interests, whereupon his daughters Maria and Julia consider themselves to be ‘immediately at their own disposal, and to have every indulgence within their reach’. Maria, ‘who was beginning to think matrimony a duty’, becomes informally engaged to Mr Rushworth of ‘Sotherton’. Such a match ‘would give her the enjoyment of a larger income than her father’s, as well as ensure her of the house in town’.
Aunt Norris becomes a perpetual thorn in Fanny’s side. In one instance she declares that it is both unnecessary and improper that she should have ‘a regular lady’s horse of her own in the style of her cousins’. However, she is overruled by Edmund.
A wealthy young brother and sister, Henry and Mary Crawford, come to visit Mary’s half-sister Mrs Grant, wife of Dr Grant the parson. It is Mrs Grant’s notion that Henry should marry the youngest Miss Bertram – Julia, whereupon Mary cautions her against it. Her brother Henry, she says, ‘is the most horrible flirt that can be imagined. If your Miss Bertrams do not like to have their hearts broke, let them avoid Henry’.
Whereas Mary is a creature of the town, Fanny is a creature of the country. For example, when Mr Rushworth talks of having an avenue of trees cut down at his house ‘Sotherton’, Fanny expresses her regret by quoting the poet William Cowper: ‘Ye fallen avenues, once more I mourn your fate unmerited’.
Mary was brought up by her uncle and guardian Admiral Crawford. On his wife’s death the Admiral, who is described as ‘a man of vicious conduct’, makes it impossible for Maryto go on living with him at his London home because it is now occupied not only by himself, but also by his mistress. Mary decides, therefore, to make a home with the Grants at the parsonage. Speaking of the Admiral’s house, where she was brought up, Mary says that ‘Of Rears and Vices, I saw enough. Now, do not be suspecting me of a pun. I entreat’. Edmund considers this joke to be in poor taste, and is not impressed.
Despite Mary’s faults, which are all too apparent to Fanny, Edmund finds himself falling in love with her. When Mary expresses the desire to learn to ride, Edmund offers her a mare which Fanny considers to be hers. Edmund subsequently notices that Fanny is suffering as a result of spending too much time indoors. He becomes angry with himself for having left her for ‘four days together without any choice of companions or exercise’.
When Fanny has the opportunity to visit the Rushworths at ‘Sotherton’, Aunt Norris continues with her personal vendetta against her by declaring that it is ‘quite out of the question’, as Lady Bertram cannot possibly spare her. In this Edmund overrides her once again. When Fanny is offered the east room of the house, Aunt Norris shows her spitefulness by stipulating that no warming fire would be lit in the hearth ‘on Fanny’s account’.
At ‘Sotherton’ Mr Rushworth’s guests are shown the chapel, where Mary Crawford makes disparaging remarks about the church by referring to those ‘poor housemaids and footmen’ who are required ‘to leave business and pleasure, and say their prayers here twice a day’. In her opinion, it was:
safer to leave people to their own devices on such subjects [and] to chuse [their] own time and manner of devotion.
The amateur theatricals held at Mansfield Park are reminiscent of those organised by Jane’s eldest brother James in the improvised theatre set up in the barn at Steventon. When Fanny is asked to perform a part, in a play of which she disapproves, she objects vigorously. At this Aunt Norris declares:
I shall think her a very obstinate, ungrateful girl, if she does not do what her Aunt, and Cousins wish her – very ungrateful indeed, considering who and what she is.
Mary then attempts to comfort Fanny. (Here, Jane Austen
Sir Thomas visits Antigua (Leeward Islands) where he has financial interests, whereupon his daughters Maria and Julia consider themselves to be ‘immediately at their own disposal, and to have every indulgence within their reach’. Maria, ‘who was beginning to think matrimony a duty’, becomes informally engaged to Mr Rushworth of ‘Sotherton’. Such a match ‘would give her the enjoyment of a larger income than her father’s, as well as ensure her of the house in town’.
Aunt Norris becomes a perpetual thorn in Fanny’s side. In one instance she declares that it is both unnecessary and improper that she should have ‘a regular lady’s horse of her own in the style of her cousins’. However, she is overruled by Edmund.
A wealthy young brother and sister, Henry and Mary Crawford, come to visit Mary’s half-sister Mrs Grant, wife of Dr Grant the parson. It is Mrs Grant’s notion that Henry should marry the youngest Miss Bertram – Julia, whereupon Mary cautions her against it. Her brother Henry, she says, ‘is the most horrible flirt that can be imagined. If your Miss Bertrams do not like to have their hearts broke, let them avoid Henry’.
Whereas Mary is a creature of the town, Fanny is a creature of the country. For example, when Mr Rushworth talks of having an avenue of trees cut down at his house ‘Sotherton’, Fanny expresses her regret by quoting the poet William Cowper: ‘Ye fallen avenues, once more I mourn your fate unmerited’.
Mary was brought up by her uncle and guardian Admiral Crawford. On his wife’s death the Admiral, who is described as ‘a man of vicious conduct’, makes it impossible for Maryto go on living with him at his London home because it is now occupied not only by himself, but also by his mistress. Mary decides, therefore, to make a home with the Grants at the parsonage. Speaking of the Admiral’s house, where she was brought up, Mary says that ‘Of Rears and Vices, I saw enough. Now, do not be suspecting me of a pun. I entreat’. Edmund considers this joke to be in poor taste, and is not impressed.
Despite Mary’s faults, which are all too apparent to Fanny, Edmund finds himself falling in love with her. When Mary expresses the desire to learn to ride, Edmund offers her a mare which Fanny considers to be hers. Edmund subsequently notices that Fanny is suffering as a result of spending too much time indoors. He becomes angry with himself for having left her for ‘four days together without any choice of companions or exercise’.
When Fanny has the opportunity to visit the Rushworths at ‘Sotherton’, Aunt Norris continues with her personal vendetta against her by declaring that it is ‘quite out of the question’, as Lady Bertram cannot possibly spare her. In this Edmund overrides her once again. When Fanny is offered the east room of the house, Aunt Norris shows her spitefulness by stipulating that no warming fire would be lit in the hearth ‘on Fanny’s account’.
At ‘Sotherton’ Mr Rushworth’s guests are shown the chapel, where Mary Crawford makes disparaging remarks about the church by referring to those ‘poor housemaids and footmen’ who are required ‘to leave business and pleasure, and say their prayers here twice a day’. In her opinion, it was:
safer to leave people to their own devices on such subjects [and] to chuse [their] own time and manner of devotion.
The amateur theatricals held at Mansfield Park are reminiscent of those organised by Jane’s eldest brother James in the improvised theatre set up in the barn at Steventon. When Fanny is asked to perform a part, in a play of which she disapproves, she objects vigorously. At this Aunt Norris declares:
I shall think her a very obstinate, ungrateful girl, if she does not do what her Aunt, and Cousins wish her – very ungrateful indeed, considering who and what she is.
Mary then attempts to comfort Fanny. (Here, Jane Austen
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