Fanny Price, called ‘insipid’ by Austen’s own mother, is the forgotten character through the first half of the novel, passive and gentle; she sits in the background but with the return of Sir Thomas and Henry Crawford’s infatuated attentions we start to see the layers of her character and emotions.
9 comments:
I've been reading Austen for nearly 50 years now. For me, appreciation for Mansfield Park deepened as I matured (more dramatically than for any other novel - possibly because it was somewhat unloved to begin with) and has continued to grow.
It's the work of such a mature and accomplished author, that re-readings, and my growing knowledge of the history of the time, continues to reveal new elements of the story
Oh, now I'm doubly interested in Mansfield Park You two favorite Austens are my favorites, so far...
I find that as I get older Mansfield Park means more and more to me. Austen's mature masterpiece. Glad you are enjoying it!
I'm in the middle of reading Mansfield Park for the first time by myself (I've seen all the film adaptations and listened to audio dramatized shows and abridged audio books) and I am SO enjoying it! Fanny is the sweetest character and I love Edmund too! It's become a new favorite and I'm only half way through! There are so many under stories and different layers that are amazingly different from Jane Austen's other novels. As I read I keep finding surprises in the characters and the plot twists. Jane Austen is just such an amazing author!
MANSFIELD PARK could have been great . . . if Austen had not been so determined to ignore Fanny and Edmund's failings in the end. I was also disappointed at how she rushed their eventual romance, following Edmund's rejection of Mary.
Quite frankly, Fanny Price is a turn off for me. It's not her mild-mannered personality that bothers me. I can think of other female characters I consider to be mild mannered and I ended up liking. But for me, Fanny is too judgmental, too hypocritical and as I had stated earlier, Austen made the mistake of failing to allow Fanny to become aware of her more serious failings. The character and the novel is a disappointment to me.
I thought that I was the only one who put "Mansfield Park" before other Jane Austen books. At first, many years ago, I had a problem with this book, mainly because it was very thick and complicated. But with time, I learned to appreciate it exactly because of its length and complexity. It takes time and open mind to truly love this book. When I read "Mansfield Park" I feel myself as close to Regency England as I will ever get there.
I'm curious what failings are you referring to and why you call Fanny hypocritical?
You don't see Fanny's failings? Her dislike of Mary Crawford is mired in jealousy and hypocrisy. She always makes excuses for Edmund's shortcomings, yet harshly judges others - especially the Crawfords - for theirs. Austen does not even allow Fanny to face her own flaws. Edmund is just as bad.
@Juanita: Thank you for stopping by and for your comment. :)
I do see her failings-- but all of Austen's heroines have failings.
Elizabeth Bennet judges her friend Charlotte for accepting Mr Collins for security but is understanding when Mr Wickham proposes to Mary King despite having the same motive. Isn't that rather similar to Fanny's unequal harshness of judgment?
Edmund's flaws are not as shocking compared with that of the Crawfords. He is infatuated with Mary-- totally blinded. But he's constant in his 'love' for her. Unlike the fickle Henry, whose vanity easily flattered.
I would love for you to explain more about Fanny's hypocrisy towards Mary. It could easily be said of Mary too. She doesn't like Fanny but befriends her because of Edmund's high opinion of her.
Sharp as she is, I also think she noticed Fanny's love for Edmund. Which explains why she was so eager towards Henry's plan.
Just to note: I do like Mary Crawford too because she's such an interesting and faceted character.
And Fanny also has qualities. I've often seen her called weak. But when everyone was encouraging her to marry the handsome and wealthy Henry, she is firm in her own opinion of him. Which must have been very difficult compared to her general submissive self.
Mansfield Park remains one of my favorite Austen's because there is so much depth to it, so much is hidden. I look forward to re-reading it, and discussing more of it. :)
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