Mansfield Park

Jane Austen

Jan 1906 · J.M. Dent & Company

Ratings and reviews

this is well written... it's really dark and subtle as compared to other Jane Austen's works but I kinda like it... instead of a perfect witty character we have an emotional, quiet but also highly observant protagonist (Fanny Price) which is a realistic approach considering her childhood and Mrs Norris and Bertram family's (except Edmund) treatment of her.... the ending felt rushed though... it felt as if something was missing...

Jane Austen gives us a magnificent tale with timeless characters! Mansfield Park stands with Pride and Prejudice as a literary work of art while maintaining unique themes and considerations of different social questions than the more popular work. I would highly recommend this book to any and all who would rifle through the pages. A word of caution, however; the digital copy here in Google does have some mistakes that change the meaning of a few passages. Proceed with care to the original text!

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen is about Fanny Price, a girl who leaves behind her poor and ill-mannered family at age ten to live with her uncle’s family at their home, Mansfield Park. Throughout the novel, Fanny struggles to find her place in the family and society. When Mary and Henry Crawford move in with the Grants nearby, the two families spend a lot of time together, and eventually the two of them cause drama and a scandal that ruins relationships between and within the two families. Jane Austen book contains many themes including searching find your place in life, nature versus nurture, the ability to improve oneself. The most dominant theme of the novel is moral and virtue. Austen’s novel comments upon and criticizes the lack of morals and virtue within society through her characters. The best example of an immoral character in the novel is Henry Crawford. He enjoys toying with women’s emotions and the idea of love. When Maria Bertram is engaged to Mr. Rushworth, Henry decides to go after Maria. At the same time he flirts with Maria’s sister, Julia, and gives her the wrong impression that he is interested in her. Later, Henry decides to entertain himself by showing interest in Fanny, eventually actually falling in love with her, though Fanny never falls for him and refuses his numerous proposals. Near the end of the novel, Henry runs away with Maria, causing a great scandal as Maria was married to Mr. Rushworth (they do divorce). Henry’s selfishness and unrestraint in playing with people’s emotions and ruining relationships shows he possesses no morals. Austen succeeds in putting lack of virtue in a negative light. Characters that are considered immoral are not likeable and at the end of the novel face punishments, reflecting Austen’s opinions of these people. At the same time, those who are moral are the ones that the reader likes the most, and in the end get the happy ending that the reader so hopes for them. Fanny Price in particular represents the moral character that Austen supports. Through the rudeness she receives from her cousins and Aunt Norris and the longing for her to feel that she belongs, the reader sympathizes with her. Fanny’s actions, such as helping her sister, Susan, by saving her from her horrible life at home and bringing her to Mansfield Park, also make the reader develop a fondness for Fanny by believing that she is an all-around good and virtuous person. Jane Austen strongly expresses being moral versus immoral in a way that makes it a difference of good and bad, emphasizing her point and commentary of society. With all analysis set aside, this novel is one that has both its positive and negative aspects. The overall plot is interesting and consists of surprises that keep the reader entertained. At the same time, it tends to drag out and get boring at times. It does require some time and effort to read and understand, as it was published in 1814 and not written in “modern” English. It is a great choice if you want to challenge yourself, have the time, or just do not want to speed through another book. However, if none of the previously mentioned motivations to read this novel apply to you, I would recommend finding another book choice.