Since its inception, The Enchanted Book Club has been a home for readers who love Jane Austen š Whether it’s her most beloved classic, Pride and Prejudice, the film adaptations, or spin-off novels, it is always a delight to enrich ourselves in Jane’s stories! As you know, this month we read Mansfield Park. One of our special guests was Devoney Looser, an Austen scholar who discussed the impact of 18th and 19th century female authors on literature today, engaging ways to introduce classic literature to young people in your life, the polarizing reception ofĀ Mansfield Park, and so much more. If you haven’t gotten a chance to watch it, I highly recommend!
Participate in our Mansfield Park discussion by responding to the questions below. I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
Discussion Questions:
2. What is your opinion of Fanny Price? Whether you loved or disliked her, please share why!
3. Do you think Fannyās passivity a virtue or a weakness?
4. In one of his letters, Edmund writes of his love of Mary Crawford and Fanny. How would you compare Mary Crawford and Fanny? Why did he choose Fanny?
5. One of the loveliest things about Jane Austen’s writing is her inspiring quotes. Do you have a favorite quotation from Mansfield Park?
6. Feel free to share any other thoughts you have!
Anne Dougherty says
If I had read Mansfield Park before any other Austen works I might be less interested. The language was more difficult and I had to reread some paragraphs a few times to get the meaning. I liked Fanny, she is certainly a different heroine from other Austen works. Hers is an understated strength, she holds her principals when repeatedly pursued by Henry.. Interesting that a woman saying no at that time was perceived as a potential yes if you simply harassed her enough!
Mary was so sophisticated and sly in her conversation and opinions, just the opposite of Fanny who could only speak the truth. They couldnāt be more different from each other. I think Mary was using Fanny because she was bored once the other ladies left and also to get closer to Edmund. Mary was conniving in my opinion. Overall, I liked rereading Mansfield Park but it wasnāt as entertaining to me as other Austen novels! I will watch the movie though!
Shawntel says
I think that’s a great way to compare Mary and Fanny. Mary was unlikable to me from the beginning and I was so frustrated with Edmund chasing her even as she insulted his profession and ideology. I did not understand her appeal.
Shawntel says
This was my first time reading Mansfield Park and there was so much of it focused on the terrible characters and less on Fanny that I’m not sure if I would read it again (haha please don’t kick me out). Her marrying Edmund in the end seemed rushed and I almost missed it. So much of the book was about their relationship as friends and confidants I don’t think I realized she loved him until more than halfway through when it was physically written that she did. She was quite strong with Henry though, which I was glad for. There was so much influence from her family to marry him. I would have liked her to stand up for herself when she was being lectured by her uncle. It could have saved a lot of trouble down the line. Speaking of… THE SCANDAL! Jane sure knows how to place them! An affair and elopement all in one? My jaw literally dropped. Overall, the story was very well written (as usual, Jane’s wit is unmatched) and the plot was wonderful, I just wish Fanny shone more in her own story.
Annalisa Gomez says
I remember this exact thought as I read it. It really was not about Fanny, and I felt the family was so strong minded that they kept trying to change her views to theirs. Though I did like when the Uncle got back, and was at least a little kinder towards her and stood up against Mrs. Norris for her, though I would have loved seeing her stand up for herself! Fanny did not have time to shine, as soon as the scandal happened, they sent for her like she was a very fond pet that they needed back, did not enjoy that.
Karen Werth says
I really enjoyed reading Mansfield Park. The characters were well developed and through her descriptive writing it was easy to picture the setting. I felt Fanny was a woman who knew herself well and stuck to her values and stayed true to herself. It took courage and strength for her to go against the expectations that were cast upon her when Henry proposed. She refused to marry him not only because she didn’t love him, but also because she questioned his character. For that she was punished and sent away in hopes she would come to her senses. Jane Austen always makes a statement in her books about how women of that time had little to say about the choices they were allowed to make in their lives.
I think Edward was bewitched by Mary in the beginning, but she proved herself to self centered. I never liked how she belittled him because he choose to become a clergyman. With Fanny he found someone whose values lined up with his own and was kind and whose love he could count on.
A quote that I like is ” If any one faculty of our nature may be called more wonderful that the rest, I do think it is memory.”
Karen Mitchell says
1. This was not my first Jane Austen read and it is my least favorite so far. Most people find Jane Austen difficult to read because of the language but the stories she tells are timeless. If the language of this book were modernized then it would be a best-seller.
2. In a book full of completely unlikeable characters, Fanny is a rare gem and so are her siblings.
3. I think Fanny’s passivity is a product of her time and the society she lived in. For example, when she’s sent back to her family for an extended visit she must wait until someone from Mansfield Park comes to get her. Even if she’d had the money, traveling on her own isn’t socially acceptable.
4. Mary is selfish and will only marry for a certain lifestyle, not love. Conversely, Fanny will only marry for love, regardless of the lifestyle. Edmund ultimately chooses Fanny because he loved her from the beginning. He just had to get Mary out of his system.
5. This quote at the end sums up the difference between Fanny and the rest of the women in the book. “They had been instructed theoretically in their religion, but never required to bring it into daily practice.”
Heidi Thibodeau says
1. This was the last of Jane Austen’s novels I’ve read, and I actually finished reading it for the first time this past January. I thought it was very different from her other books – it didn’t grab my attention right from the start the way the others did, and at times it was a little difficult to follow. I really enjoyed it, though, especially once the chapters about the “home theatrical” ended, and I now consider it one of my favorites.
2. People seem to either love or hate Fanny Price – I found myself in the “love” category. I think people tend to underestimate her quiet strength and intelligence, and only focus on her perceived passivity and physical weakness. I especially admired her for her ability to do what she thought was right in the face of other people’s disapproval and displeasure. For example, she wouldn’t participate in the theatrical, and she refused to accept Henry Crawford’s proposal, even though it meant being sent back to Portsmouth.
3. I think her passivity was a virtue. It enabled her to focus on developing her intelligence and patience, as well as her ability to see people for who they really are. She also developed an enjoyment of simple things, such as nature, which others didn’t have time for.
4. I think Fanny was the complete opposite of Mary Crawford. Their values and views about what’s important in life were very different, and Fanny had a sense of what is right and wrong that Mary lacked. Once Edmund realized the kind of person Mary truly was, he began to value and appreciate Fanny’s understated qualities more, and the love he’d always felt for Fanny developed further.
5. I have two favorite quotes from the book: From Chapter 19, Sir Thomas: ‘But indeed I would rather have nothing but tea.’ As a tea lover, I’d seen this quote before, but didn’t realize it was from Mansfield Park. And from chapter 35, Fanny: ‘I think it ought not to be set down as certain, that a man must be acceptable to every woman he may happen to like himself.’ That entire paragraph was so witty and wise!
6. I thought the entire book was full of obvious, and sometimes not so obvious, wit and words of wisdom, and although I don’t remember laughing out loud often, I did smile a lot. I also enjoyed seeing Mary and Fanny both get what they deserved in the end. The book reminded me a bit of Cinderella – Fanny as Cinderella, Mrs. Norris as the “evil stepmother,” and Mary as one of the stepsisters. Edmund could even be considered a less than perfect Prince Charming!
Caroline Aicard says
As is fairly common, Mansfield Park is my least favorite of Janeās novels. It is definitely more of a morality tale, and incredibly analytical, while not disguising its purpose as well as done in her other books. Another reason I donāt care for it as much is that it seems the characters lack depth of feeling. Even Fanny, who we know from beginning to end, is ardently in love with Edmund, doesnāt express it other than to sporadically bemoan his lack of romantic interest in herself, which leads me to my opinion of Fanny and whether or not her passivity is a strength or weakness. I believe her passivity has kept her afloat in the course of her life due to her circumstances, but it does not serve her well specifically with regards to Edmund. Perhaps if she had intimated her more than sisterly affection for him throughout her life spent by his side, he would not have been tempted by the sparkle of Mary Crawford. But this is similar logic to Maryās own when assessing the downfall of her brother, so if Jane was to read this comment, she may believe me extraordinarily worldly and not virtuous enough as it does seem to me, that Jane herself had great affection for the character of Fanny Price. I could be wrong though, Iām not positive about that one. And Edmond, while a good sort of fellow, is still a man, and it seems to this reader, like he was drawn to Mary Crawford, simply because she was beautiful, elegant, and charismatic. There didnāt appear to be much depth to their relationship, or any strong reasons for his attachment. I believe his choosing of Fanny in the end was more of a realization, since it was not expanded upon by Jane. I always thought this novel wrapped up rather quickly, like she wanted to tie a bow on a hastily wrapped present. Which is strange, because the novel itself is so lengthy.
As far as my favorite quote goes, I would instead like to offer two words, forming a phrase that sums up Fannyās desires for herself (though the words were used to describe Mariahās quiet, post-scandal, life):
RATIONAL TRANQUILITY
Most of us are not particularly rational, nor are we tranquilā¦. We are irrational and desirous of the sensational, so it is only to be expected that a novel with such direction and theme would not entertain or stir the average reader into a fervor.
My final thoughts on the novel and my less than enthusiastic response, is that it was very hard for me to reconcile the familyās annoyance with Fanny throughout most of the story, which then seems to whiplash at the end when she comes back to Mansfield Park and they suddenly find her to be a comfort to them rather than an annoyance. I canāt think of a single person in my life who has caused me annoyance, who I later came to think of as a Comfort. Those are two diametrically opposed states of relationship in my experience.
Jennifer Williams says
1. I donāt enjoy Mansfield Park as much as Jane Austenās other works. Itās not one I like to revisit, but I was glad to read it again this time. It has some good scenes and character sketches; I think theyāre just spread out a bit more than in some of her other works.
2. I found Fanny frustrating, but I also understood where she was coming from. She didnāt grow up praised and empowered; nobody wants to know her true feelings. Sheās in a difficult position, so I have sympathy for her. And she is strong in her own way. She has strong convictions on right and wrong, and she could see Henry Crawfordās true colors.
3. I think Fanny’s passivity is a virtue. No one would thank her for expressing her opinions. And when she needed to be resolute regarding Henry Crawford, she was, so sheās actually pretty strong.
4. Mary is underhanded in her dealings with others and open in her opinions. Fanny is not. I think seeing how Fanny and Mary had each dealt with Henry Crawford impacted his opinion. Plus, Fanny supported the life Edmund wanted for himself, and Mary did not.
5. āNobody minds having what is too good for them.ā I certainly do not.
6. I listened to a podcast episode recently that discussed the plot of the play theyāre rehearsing in Mansfield ParkāLoversā Vows. I have a better appreciation for those scenes in the book now; I recommend looking up a synopsis of the play.
DEBORAH WINTER says
1. I am happy that I read this novel although I have to say that it isn’t my favorite. The characters are well developed but the ending left something to be desired because it was a bit abrupt. Despite everything going on in the world I feel very fortunate to have been born in this time as women (illustrated so well ion the character of Fanny Price) didn’t have a lot of options back then aside from making a match that would ultimately benefit their family from a wealth perspective. To think that Jane Austen had the talent and ambition to write so many wonderful novels is courageous and inspiring. Answers to the questions:
2. Fanny Price grew on me and by the end of the story I felt like I needed to give her more credit. She was wise beyond her years.
3. I think Fannie’s passivity was a sign of the times; she did lead a sheltered life and I do think most women at that time in the UK were more introverted than not.
4. Mary Crawford and Fanny were polar opposites. Fanny saw her for what she really was while Edmund was wholly mesmerized by her charms. Surprising that he never asked Fanny her opinion; it would have saved some heartache in the long run. Fanny was the logical choice once he realized Mary was not the right match for him.
5. I like the quote āI think it ought not to be set down as certain that a man must be acceptable to every woman he may happen to like himself.ā because it seems to me that this would be a revelation to most men.
6. I liked Mansfield Park better than Northhanger Abbey but would not say either is a favorite. Happy to have finally read both though and I wouldn’t have done it except for the Enchanted Book Club.
DEBORAH WINTER says
1. I am happy that I read this novel although I have to say that it isn’t my favorite. The characters are well developed but the ending left something to be desired because it was a bit abrupt. Despite everything going on in the world I feel very fortunate to have been born in this time as women (illustrated so well ion the character of Fanny Price) didn’t have a lot of options back then aside from making a match that would ultimately benefit their family from a wealth perspective. To think that Jane Austen had the talent and ambition to write so many wonderful novels is courageous and inspiring. Answers to the questions:
2. Fanny Price grew on me and by the end of the story I felt like I needed to give her more credit. She was wise beyond her years.
3. I think Fannie’s passivity was a sign of the times; she did lead a sheltered life and I do think most women at that time in the UK were more introverted than not.
4. Mary Crawford and Fanny were polar opposites. Fanny saw her for what she really was while Edmund was wholly mesmerized by her charms. Surprising that he never asked Fanny her opinion; it would have saved some heartache in the long run. Fanny was the logical choice once he realized Mary was not the right match for him.
5. I like the quote āI think it ought not to be set down as certain that a man must be acceptable to every woman he may happen to like himself.ā because it seems to me that this would be a revelation to most men.
6. I liked Mansfield Park better than Northhanger Abbey . Happy to have finally read both though and I wouldn’t have done it except for the Enchanted Book Club.