Mansfield Park

Rating:
Summary: Mansfield Park, revisited
Review: It's been more than a year since I originally reviewed this book, and since then it's been fun to read the war of words between Fanny-defenders and Fanny-bashers; one reviewer says she can't understand this "hate" of Fanny, while another is amazed at the "loathing" Fanny engenders in some readers, and a third admonishes that appreciating Fanny's saintliness takes time and harrumphs, "Fanny upholds what is right, how not to love her?" I have read and reread "Mansfield Park" (it's one of my all-time favorites) and my response regarding Fanny is, "what's to love?"

The reviewer who described Fanny as an "odious little priss" hit the nail slam-bang on the head; Fanny is an impossible killjoy. She is a case of conscience run amok, without any of the tempering graces of understanding or acceptance. Whatever emotions Fanny engenders, hatred or loathing doesn't come into it; there is not enough in Fanny's character to loathe. What she engenders in this reader is more like a profound sense of irritation; one wants to grab her by the shoulders, give her a good shake and tell her to lighten up. Jane Austen's other heroines know how to leaven virtue with common sense and a dash of humor, none more so than Elizabeth Bennet in "Pride and Prejudice"; Fanny acts like she never cracked a joke in her life and wouldn't understand a joke if she heard one, let alone appreciate it. She is thus a perfect match for her cousin Edmund, who is the most puzzling character in this excellent book.

I have never yet come across a sympathetic character in a novel who becomes so thoroughly unsympathetic as Edmund Bertram. He certainly starts out as likeable enough, as Fanny's champion and protector from her obnoxious aunt Norris. We can understand and sympathize when he falls in love with Mary Crawford, whose worldly upbringing makes her despise his vocation as a minister. But Mary is torn between her materialistic ambitions and her genuine affection for Edmund. She really loves him and appreciates his good qualities, as he is able to love her for hers; he realizes she is shallow and superficial, but she is also loving, kind, generous, open-hearted, and doesn't have a mean bone in her body. She is "the only woman he could ever want or accept for a wife."

So what happens to blow this whole scenario to bits? In Edmund's eyes, Mary is insufficiently outraged by the adulterous relationship between her brother and Edmund's married sister. Edmund is in anguish when Mary says she is disgusted by their stupidity in carrying on the affair. For him, this proves she is totally without virtue. But is she really? Mary may have been as outraged as Edmund was; but where Edmund can only think of retribution, Mary is more concerned with damage control. Where Edmund insists on divine and temporal punishment and damnation, Mary prefers to try to make the best of a bad situation. For Edmund, Mary's common sense translates into vice. From a paragon of virtue, she suddenly becomes a monster of licentiousness. Edmund drops poor Mary like a hot potato. He may thus endear himself further to Fanny Price, but he certainly doesn't endear himself to this reader. Edmund comes across as a sanctimonious prig, more interested in judging people than in trying to understand and forgive.

So let the debate continue. I'm looking forward to reading more opinions pro and con about Fanny Price & Co.; the fundamental fact remains that, whatever you may think of Fanny and the other characters, Jane Austen is one of the greatest writers of all time in any language, and Mansfield Park is her greatest book.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing characters
Review: If anyone reads this novel and forgets who Mrs. Norris and Mr. Rushworth are--I am amazed. Jane Austen is a nearly perfect story-teller. Always there are unexpected twists in lovers and even in marriage. Mansfield Park takes it's place by Emma as my favorite Ms. Austen novel. Mansfield Park takes you through the morals of classes, and lets you heighten yourself right along with Fanny Price. No matter what Aunt Norris has to say. Mr. Rushworth was my favorite character among them all, he doesn't make many appearances--when he does they were all rather humorous to me. A highly recommended read for a cozy night.

Rating:
Summary: Very profound
Review: Mansfield Park was a novel written by Jane Austen in 1814. Although it was not as popular as Pride and Prejudice, it is still regarded as the profoundest novel Austen had written.

The setting of the novel was in the nineteenth century world of the gentry, as revealed through the eyes of Fanny Price. As she was a "poor relation" of the wealthy Bertram family, Fanny was invited to live with them in their family estate, Mansfield Park. Through Fanny's insight, the admirable but corrupted world of the upper class was seen. At first, Fanny was seen as an inferior person to everyone except Edmund, a cousin whom she befriended. Later, the Bertrams realized that Fanny "was useful" (p. 331) She held a secret affection for Edmund, and it remained unrequited until the end of the novel. Through narratives and detailed scenes, the novel was able to evolve into a beautiful Victorian "Cinderella" tale. In general, Mansfield Park was well-developed, and contained numerous descriptive passages. However, there were some minor demerits to the style and presentation of the novel.

The chief fault found within the novel was the way the characters were portrayed. They were two-dimensional in that the characters seemed to be categorized into specific stereotypes. For example, the character of Henry Crawford was portrayed as a promiscuous young man who had no thoughts for others; Mrs Norris, an aunt of Fanny's, was seen as an unbearably condescending woman who belittled Fanny and trampled on her dignity. On the other end of the spectrum, Fanny became the heroine of the novel with her virtuous ways: "she had never played [card] game[s] nor seen it played in her life" (p.171) Although Jane Austen tried to alter their images near the end of the novel, it became increasingly hard to picture the characters as real human beings. Another flaw was that: compared to the entire novel, the denouement was too abrupt. This can be seen in the altered personality of Edmund Bertram. Throughout the novel, he remained faithful to his "infatuation" with Mary Crawford. He overlooked her imperfections, but that seemed reasonable, as he appeared to be quite fond of her. Yet, in the last few paragraphs of Mansfield Park, he changed his mind and decided that it was actually Fanny who had gained his affection: "Edmund did cease to care about Miss Crawford, and became as anxious to marry Fanny, a Fanny herself could desire." (p. 338) Edmund was never seen as one who has a fickle mind. Therefore, this sudden change of heart in him might befuddle the reader. Another unsuspecting transformation was Tom Bertram, heir of Mansfield Park. He was depicted as a "careless and extravagant" young man, and was a "source of much uneasiness to his father, Sir Thomas" (p.17). Yet, he was converted in the end: he did not regain "the thoughtlessness and selfishness of his previous habits". (p. 332) Instead of the abrupt finale of the novel, the ending should have been much longer in order to resolve the various complicated elements of the plot, with the use of the stylistic grace of the first two-thirds of the novel. This uneven execution set back the novel, when it had the potential to be a nineteenth century classic.

As opposed to the demerits, many worthy aspects could be seen in the novel. A variety of narrative styles could be found, such as the use of the author's and protagonist's point of views. In addition, the use of letters as a means to reveal the plot played an important role in Mansfield Park: the climax of the novel was revealed through letters. Another note-worthy facet was that the theme of morality permeated through the entire novel. Because this long novel had a copious amount of events occurring, a common theme would be able to weave the story together. Jane Austen was thus successful in creating a unified novel using the theme. As well, the plot was extremely interesting, and it was able to engage the reader's attention.

A significant aspect of the novel was the topic of religion. The Anglican church and its ministries were discussed several times in the course of the novel: Edmund Bertram was ordained in spite of Ms. Crawford's insistence that a career as a clergyman was uninteresting and unworthy of Edmund. Ordination was stressed, probably because of the fact that Austen had a large number of relations and friends in Holy Orders: her father and two of her brothers were clergymen, and her sister was engaged to a clergyman. Another reason why the topic was emphasized was that Jane Austen wanted to use it as a spiritual dimension to the novel. She also used it to add a sense of moral righteousness to the main characters (Fanny and Edmund).

Mansfield Park was intended to be a didactic novel, with its characters representing virtue and impiety. However, the storyline was compelling enough for the reader to overlook the heavy tone of the book. Thus, Jane Austen was able to create a light atmosphere in the novel, allowing modern readers to appreciate her arguably "best work" by far.

Rating:
Summary: Fanny upholds what is right - how not to love her?
Review: As I began this book, I convinced myself that it was far from my favorite. I could not tell why, except that I had trouble viewing Fanny as the beautiful person she turned out to be. But that takes time! She proved herself over and over to be so virtuous! I cannot dislike a character for being everything that one should strive for, even if a far reach! I also admit to a problem with her being in love with a first cousin. I continually had to place myself in a different time, and tell myself that it was acceptable and not illegal as it is now for first cousins to marry. But that is the fun of it! Reading Jane Austen's novels transports you to another time - where leisure is spent walking in the garden and reading and talking, not the required mundane tasks of today! Let them marry! Who should be denied a match such as Edmunds and Fanny's? As for Miss Crawford- is it not most likely that the one taken by her beauty would overlook her flawed character, while the jealous one would see the flaws so clearly? In the end, I cannot say that it is not my favorite, for I believe it has inspired much more introspection than any of her novels previously read. That makes for a great reading experience.

Rating:
Summary: Masterly observations of people and their relations
Review: This is the story of a young girl, who goes to live with her richer cousins. They don't treat her very well, but she prevails. This is a short summary of a rich plot, which Jane Austen conjures up out of her characters, and the social rules of the world that they live in. What is amazing is that there is little in the way of plot tricks - everything arises organically from the characters. Most of the books you read these days rely on all kinds of devices, from war to interplanetary invasion, and Jane Austen shows that you don't need these to create a compelling story.

I was interested by the character of Fanny Price - yes, she is stubborn, but only to be true to herself, even though everyone thinks that she is denying herself happiness. She chooses not to be a hypocrite, and actually play by the rules that everyone else lectures her about. She is in wonderful contrast to Mrs Norris, a classic Austen villainness, who does nothing bad, but just is a nasty selfish hypocrite.

I loved the way that there are changes in the way that the characters think about each other, and about the world. In other words, the people in this book are really alive, and you don't think of them as representations at all.

True, Miss Bennett in Pride and Prejudice is a more attractive character, but I think that the way that the characters are made to work for the plot in this book makes Mansfield Park a better book. Perhaps one wouldn't want to live there, but this is a book that can be read and re-read, and there is always something new. The balance of this book is perfect.

Rating:
Summary: thought provoking
Review: I'm quite amazed at the absolute loathing Fanny Price awakens in so many readers - why do people despise the one truly virtuous character, describe her as weak, insipid, boring and all the rest, whereas Maria and Julia, snooty, self-absorbed, conceited ... who consistently treat Fanny as a doormat, are deemed interesting? As well as Mary Crawford, who may be nice to her, but in an unbearably condescending way? Why is virtue so suspicious to modern readers? Why do we prefer sparkling froth (Mary Crawford) to quiet depth (Fanny)? Fanny is not living in 21st century America and has a right to her values - she is a child of her time. She also has her reasons for being the way she is - quiet, shy, humble, sincere. Why do readers hate these qualities, why is there no empathy for Fanny after the way she has been treated? As for Fanny being weak - are these people crazy? Is it weak to resist the enormous pressure that Fanny was up against to marry Henry Crawford? To escape her position of dependency to become a highly respected woman of stature? What a wonderful revenge it would have been to all those who looked down at her previously: Maria, Julia, Mrs Norris! What freedom, at last! And yet Fanny resists: her love for Edmund is stronger. Is this weakness? She does not fall prey to Henry's Casanova charms, as so many society belles have done. Is this weakness? She sees through his character, recognises him for what he is - a frivolous womanizer. (How many modern-day so-called emancipated woman have fallen for such types! ) She has the strength to stand to her own opinions, and upholds her moral strength in spite of her lowly position. I call that admirable! That is genuine self-esteem, not the shallow self-infatuation readers seem to demand in a heroine.. She is not swayed by Henry's professions of eternal love - for someone who has never known a man's - or anybody's - love, who has no hopes of ever winning the man she loves - this is extraordinary. A lesser woman would have been so hungry for love she'd have melted at such devotion! But Fanny knows what she wants, and finally her quiet strength shines through and wins. This novel is a masterpiece, Fanny is wise, strong, deep, Austen's strongest and most interesting heroine by far.

Rating:
Summary: Well-written but too many words!
Review: Ok, Austen is a good writer, and her creation of some of the characters, especially Mrs. Norris, is superb, but I must say I found Fanny totally unrealistic and therefore unrewarding. Austen's attempts to make Fanny seem more human, for example through showing her jealousy of Mary Crawford, were too few and far between and could not dispel the strong image of her, as an unbelievable, pathetic creature, given at the beginning of the novel.

The story is slow to progress and I was not satisfied with the out-come at all. Is everyone completely blind to the fact that Edmund is Fanny's cousin? I gave it such a generous mark because of the expert way Austen manipulates her words.

Rating:
Summary: Morally complex, and not about the slave trade...
Review: I don't know what book the other reviewer read, but it couldn't have been "Mansfield Park." "Mansfield Park" is a political satire according to some, and I think there's reason to believe this assessment. According to Jane Austen, "Mansfield Park" is about ordination (some dispute here, but she wrote it in a letter). Ordination comes from the word "order" and given the events in Europe at the time order was a major issue.

Jane Austen's father had 'interests' in the West Indies from which he derived income, and he was very pleased the British Government (Tories) defended these colonies and kept them from joining in the American Revolotion. Jane Austen had two naval brothers who served as part of the effort to keep the English interests en tact. In "Persuasion" a discussion at dinner one evening centers around the West Indies--and the talk is not about slavery. Like it or not, Jane Austen's conscience about slavery did become manifest until she wrote "Emma" and even then she barely touched on the subject. Jane Austen's main concerns involved the lives of women and their place in society. And we have no right to judge her from our perspective 200 years later.

Jane Austen was a Tory at the time she wrote "Mansfield Park." The Tories were a conservative party that backed the English king and he had no interest in seeing English colonies in the West Indies--from which he derived income--disappear. The Tories were landed gentry (country aristocrats) and did not want their old agrarian way of life abolished. It was under threat from the Industrial Revolution, and other social change. The Tory opposition party was Whig. Whigs supported the American and French Revolutions, and wanted change (the Abolutionists were mostly Whig).

Jane Austen's "Mansfield Park" symbolizes the old agrarian landed gentry way of life. Portsmouth (where Fanny's mother lives) represents the chaos of the masses. London (home of the Crawfords) is an interesting but dangerous way of life.

Fanny is a very moral girl. My only complaint of Fanny is that I wanted her to stand up for herself--which she does. She always did, she just didn't do it the way we women who have been emancipated would. Critics from Lionel Trilling to Tony Tanner have defended Fanny's right to be Fanny--i.e. a moral and good girl of her times. We who are caught up in the modern world may not appreciate Fanny, but there she is--and who dares judge her?

Fanny holds the course (like the Tories). She is the voice of morality who objects to the London stage play the other youngsters at Mansfield Park stage in the absence of Mr. Bertram (the lord of the manor and the upholder of virtue). Fanny will not be coerced into violating her principles. She will not marry Mr. Crawford because she can see he is immoral. She chides Edmund to stay on the straight and narrow. She facilitates Edmund's remaining on the path to ordination. Say what you will, Fanny gets her man, and she gets him the way she wants him. Was Janie spoofing us all along? Was Fanny right?

Rating:
Summary: wonderful story
Review: I am a new reader of Jane Austen and after reading the other reviews of this book, I was a little scared to read this one so I saved it for last. I was so surprised how much I liked it. Fanny, the main character, is someone I could relate to in ways that many other readers apparently have not been able to. Unless you grow up in a home where you are made to feel unwanted, and have a Mrs. Norris as an aunt in Fanny's case or a stepmom in my case, it would be hard to understand Fanny. Take it from me,the character is very real in many ways and not the wimp or doormat that many other reviewers find her. Alot of people said this book of Jane Austen's is her deepest because of the social issues she tackles. I will have to read it again to pick up on more of that, I was so busy focusing on Fanny's situation and understanding her feelings, knowing how her situation affected her responses, that I missed things. I look forward to reading it again. I think others will enjoy it too,don't be put off by the other reviewers. Of course, I look forward to rereading all my Jane Austens.

Rating:
Summary: Not one of Jane Austen's best
Review: I am a huge fan of classic novels. I had to read Pride & Prejudice for English Lit in high school and I've been hooked ever since. I've read several of Austen's novels and I had trouble making to the end of this one. I felt like throwing the book down in frustration several times because it was so slow and hard to follow. Fanny was too quiet for my taste and I never understood Edmund's interest in Miss Crawford. If you're a fan of Jane Austen, go ahead and read this book, but make sure your wide awake, otherwise you might just fall asleep due to boredom.