Multimedia Mania/abacus-multimedia-mania.iso/dp/0124/01240.txt

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$Unique_ID{bob01240}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Works of Jane Austen
Mansfield Park: Plot Summary}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{Austen, Jane}
$Affiliation{Instructor Of English, Rutgers University}
$Subject{fanny
henry
edmund
mary
mrs
sir
maria
thomas
crawford
mansfield}
$Date{}
$Log{}
Title:       Works of Jane Austen
Book:        Mansfield Park
Author:      Austen, Jane
Critic:      Fitzpatrick, William J.
Affiliation: Instructor Of English, Rutgers University

Mansfield Park: Plot Summary

     Mrs. Norris (nee Miss Ward) persuades her brother-in-law, Sir Thomas
Bertram, and sister, Lady Bertram (nee Maria Ward), to take over the care and
education of Mrs. Price's daughter, age ten. Mrs. Price (nee Frances Ward)
had, against the wishes of her family, married a poor lieutenant in the
Marines and was hard pressed to take proper care of her nine children. Mrs.
Norris had married a priest for whom Sir Thomas had secured the parish of
Mansfield. The third sister, Maria, had made the best match and became Lady
Bertram and Mansfield Park. Mrs. Norris tries to take the credit for the
charity, though she carefully leaves all the work to Sir Thomas and her
sister, Lady Bertram.

     Young Fanny Price is despondent at first. She misses her family, above
all, her older brother William. She is overawed by the large house at
Mansfield Park, the silence of Lady Bertram, the importance of Sir Thomas,
the hectoring of her aunt, Mrs. Norris, and the supercilious Bertram
daughters, Maria (age thirteen) and Julia (age twelve). The sons - Edmund
(sixteen) and Tom (Seventeen) - are kind to her, especially Edmund - who goes
out of his way to help her write her beloved William, to guide her in her
reading, and to advise her in how to get on at Mansfield Park. The daughters,
on the other hand, make fun of Fanny's inferior education, which they and
others take as a sign of stupidity.

     Mr. Norris (the priest of Mansfield Parish) died about five years
later. Mrs. Norris then moved into a small house of Sir Thomas's in the
village. She had chosen such a small house so that she could avoid having to
take Fanny to live with her. Sir Thomas is disappointed in Mrs. Norris's
not wanting to have Fanny. He has had some financial losses and, in addition,
his eldest son, Tom, has squandered away a good deal of money. He feels the
expense of maintaining Fanny. Furthermore, Edmund, who is to become a
clergyman, will not inherit as much because of his brother's large debts.
Because of Sir Thomas's financial losses, the "living" (Church-of-England
Parish) of Mansfield cannot be saved for Edmund. A Dr. and Mrs. Grant
therefore come to occupy the Parsonage. Fanny is very happy that she will not,
after all, be going to live with Mrs. Norris. Sir Thomas and Tom go off
to Antigua in the West Indies to look into the management of Sir Thomas's
estate.

     Sir Thomas remains in Antigua for a good many months. He sends Tom back.
In the absence of his father Edmund performs all the duties of the head of the
house, and he continues to look after Fanny, getting a horse for her to ride
when her old one dies. The parsimonious Mrs. Norris looks after the two '
daughters when they go out in society, and Fanny has to stay at home with the
dull and indolent Lady Bertram. Mr. Rushworth (twelve thousand pounds a year)
becomes engaged to Maria Bertram (who is now twenty-one). Edmund disapproves,
because he finds that Mr. Rushworth has nothing to commend him but money.
But Mrs. Norris has actively promoted the match. Sir Thomas is delighted
that his daughter has found such a good match, writes his consent, and
requests that the marriage wait for his return in a few months. Meanwhile,
Mrs. Grant is visited by her step-brother and step-sister, Henry and Mary
Crawford from London. Henry is well-to-do with an estate at Norfolk; Mary has
a fortune of twenty thousand pounds. Mrs. Grant plans a match between Mary and
Tom and one between Henry and Julia Bertram. Mary appears interested, but
Henry has a reputation for breaking hearts. Fanny is now eighteen.

     The Crawfords and the Bertrams quickly take to each other, Mary going
after Tom Bertram and Julia, after Henry. But Henry may be more interested in
flirting with Maria (he is not interested in marriage, at any rate). Mary has
a cynical view of marriage, which she may have derived from her uncle (Admiral
Crawford, with whom Henry and Mary went to live when their mother died) who
took in his mistress after his wife died. Mary is quite attractive. Henry is
plain looking, but because of his elegant London manners, he is much approved
by the Bertram sisters. Fanny is not taken with him. Mary Crawford asks Edmund
and Tom if Fanny is "out" in society yet, and after discovering that she does
not attend balls, decides that Fanny is definitely not yet "out".

     Tom leaves Mansfield Park to race his horse. The rest of the group dine
together at Mansfield Park and the conversation turns mainly to making
"improvements" in the landscape and gardens of Mr. Rushworth's home (Sotherton
Court). Mr. Rushworth had been to see a friend who recently had his estate
"improved" by a noted landscape gardener. When Henry Crawford says that he has
quite finished improving his estate, Julia suggests that he advise Mr.
Rushworth on what to do with the grounds at Sotherton Court. Mr. Rushworth
then invites Henry to come to Sotherton. Mary Crawford refers to her uncle's
making unnecessary "improvements" in the grounds of his summer cottage which
caused a good deal of discomfort to everyone until they were completed. In
order not to separate the men from the ladies Mrs. Norris contrives to have
everyone agree to an outing to Sotherton Court.

     The next day Fanny and Edmund agree that Mary Crawford has been
indiscreet in talking about her uncle as she did. But Edmund is more inclined
to excuse her and to see no other faults in her than is Fanny. When Mary's
harp comes, Edmund is frequently at the parsonage (where Mary and Henry are
staying with their step-sister) to hear her play. He is fast becoming very
much attached to Mary, and he shows his attentions to her by lending her the
horse he has always reserved for Fanny and teaching her to ride. Deprived of
her horse for four days, Fanny is hurt and envious at Edmund's devotion to
Mary. When Edmund discovers one evening that Fanny has a headache which she
got while picking roses for his mother and aunt (Mrs. Norris) in the hot sun,
he is very sorry for his neglect of Fanny. His solicitude for her comfort
cheers Fanny's hurt feelings.

     The next day Mr. Rushworth brings his mother to Mansfield Park to issue
an invitation to the Bertrams to visit Sotherton Court. Although Mrs. Norris
tries to prevent it, Edmund arranges for Fanny to go along. Mrs. Grant keeps
Lady Bertram company. The group is to consist of Henry and Mary Crawford,
Julia and Maria Bertram, Mrs. Norris, Fanny Price, and Edmund. The next
morning they set out and Maria is much distressed that Julia gets the seat
alongside Henry who is driving the carriage. But her resentment cools as the
carriage enters Mr. Rushworth's property and she is able proudly to point out
the extent of her future husband's holdings. Fanny is thrilled at the beauty
of the drive, but Mary is indifferent to nature. Both girls have Edmund in
their thoughts.

     They arrive at Sotherton, and, after taking refreshment, they are shown
through the house by Mrs. Rushworth. Eventually they are brought into the
chapel. Fanny is disappointed in it. It does not inspire awe. Henry tells
Maria that he does not like to see her so near the altar! Mary comments
cynically on the futility of family prayers (Fanny likes the idea of the
household assembled in the chapel) and on the uselessness of clergymen. When
Edmund tells her that he is going to become a priest of the Church of England,
she is very surprised and disappointed. She tells him he should take up law
rather than so inconsequential and socially irrelevant a profession as the
clergy. But he replies that he has a genuine religious vocation. Fanny, of
course, agrees with Edmund. They all go outside, and Fanny, Edmund, and Mary
walk through the wooded area. Fanny gets tired and Edmund and Mary leave her
on a bench to rest while they go on walking.

     After about twenty minutes, Maria Bertram, her fiance, Mr. Rushworth, and
Henry Crawford appear. Maria says that she would like to go through the iron
gate into the park. When they discover that it is locked. Mr. Rushworth goes
to fetch the key. Henry hints that he prefers Maria's company to Julia's, and
Maria hints that she does not look forward to living at Sotherton with
Rushworth. Henry then persuades her to pass around the side of the gate rather
than wait for Rushworth. Fanny, who has been silently observing all from her
bench, tries to prevent this indiscretion by urging Maria to wait, but to no
avail. Soon Julia arrives, and when she hears what Maria and Henry have done,
she, too, squeezes past the side of the gate into the park. She is eager to
avoid the boring Rushworths and to recapture Henry Crawford. Rushworth is very
angry when he returns with the key to find that his fiance has not waited for
him, but Fanny finally persuades him to follow. Lonely and impatient, Fanny
then goes in search of Mary Crawford and Edmund. When she finds them, Fanny is
still disturbed at their having left her alone for a whole hour. After dinner
the party returns to Mansfield Park, Julia is happy to regain her seat beside
Henry on the driver's box, and Mrs. Morris chatters on inanely about the cream
cheese and pheasant's eggs she got from the housekeeper.

     Sir Thomas writes that he will be home in about three months (November).
Maria is disturbed by the news, because it will mean her wedding with Mr.
Rushworth - to whom she is not really attracted. One evening when Henry and
Mary Crawford are at Mansfield Park, Mary again gives Edmund her opinion about
clergymen. She finds them dull and superficial - given over to food and drink
and trivial pursuits. How much more fashionable and dashing is the profession
of arms! Edmund and Fanny defend the clergy and tell Mary that she cannot
judge all clergymen by her brother-in-law, Dr. Grant. When Mary walks away to
join the others in a song, Edmund and Fanny look out the window at the stars.
Edmund proposes that they go out on the lawn for a better view, but Fanny is
disappointed, for he soon walks away from her to listen to the singing. (Again
he has deserted her for Mary Crawford.)

     Mr. Tom Bertram comes home from the races by the end of August. But now
that she has had a chance to compare the two brothers, Mary Crawford decides
that she very much prefers Edmund - in spite of Tom's being due to inherit the
estate of Mansfield Park. Henry Crawford continues to encourage the affections
of the two Bertram sisters, Maria and Julia. Fanny, indeed, suspects that
Henry is being indiscreet, but Mrs. Norris, Mrs. Grant, and Edmund believe
that Julia and Henry will make a match.

     Mr. Yates, a recent acquaintance of Tom's, visits Mansfield Park and
tells of a recent attempt to put on a play with some friends in a private
home. This sets Tom and his sisters to planning a performance at Mansfield
Park, and, over Edmund's (and, to be sure, Fanny's) objections, proceeds to
convert the billiard room into a temporary theatre. Maria does not consider
her engagement any obstacle to performing in a play.

     They decide to do the play Lovers' Vows. Henry Crawford contrives to
have Maria play one of the leads, thus excluding Julia from a big part. Julia,
suspecting collusion, is very hurt and angrily marches out of the room. When
Fanny is left alone in the room, she quickly reads through the copy of Lovers'
Vows and decides the two female leads too immodest for a performance at home.
When Edmund discovers the choice of play, he tries to persuade Maria to give
it up on the grounds that it is not proper for young ladies to enact such
roles. But Maria is adamant - and Mrs. Norris supports her. Mary tries to get
Edmund to play a role opposite her, but he refuses. So does Fanny, when they
urge her to play a minor role. Tom then announces that he can get Charles
Maddox, an acquaintance in the neighborhood, to play the part Edmund refused.

     The next day Edmund talks with Fanny about the necessity of preventing a
stranger like Charles Maddox from becoming intimate with the family under such
embarrassing circumstances as the performance of a play that borders on
immodesty. He also feels for Mary Crawford who would now have to play opposite
a stranger. He therefore decides to take the role he refused last night. Fanny
is troubled at this inconsistency in Edmund. She is sure that he is deceiving
himself about his real motive. She knows that affection for Miss Crawford
is behind his changing his mind.

     Everyone is delighted with Edmund's change of mind. Mrs. Grant is
prevailed upon to take the remaining female part (the one Fanny has refused),
and the company is thus made up. Fanny is envious of Mary Crawford for the
attentions Edmund is paying her. Julia is extremely envious of her sister,
Maria, because Henry Crawford plainly prefers her - even though she is engaged
to Mr. Rushworth. Mary remarks to Mrs. Grant that if her brother tried, he
could easily take Maria away from Rushworth; but Mrs. Grant doesn't believe
that Maria would give up Rushworth's large estate, Sotherton.

     Fanny manages to derive some consolation, and even pleasure, from being
the only one left to assist and witness the many rehearsals. She listens to
everyone complain of the acting of the other members of the cast. She observes
Henry and Maria flirting and thoroughly enjoying their scenes together. She
sees Mr. Rushworth become increasingly jealous of his fiance's company.
Finally, she is distressed to witness the earnestness with which Mary and
Edmund play their scene together.

     Julia, of course, is furious at Maria for stealing Henry away from her,
and at Henry for not prefering her to Maria. She then flirts - or pretends to
flirt - with Mr. Yates. When Mrs. Grant's sickness prevents Mrs. Grant's
appearing at rehearsal, Fanny reluctantly agrees to take her part. On the
evening of the first rehearsal of the whole play, Sir Thomas returns to
Mansfield Park.

     Julia, who announces her father's return, enjoys it as a kind of revenge
against her sister and Henry. The group interrupts the rehearsal, confused by
the unexpected news, apprehensive at what Sir Thomas will say when he
discovers that they have upset his house - and his particular rooms - for the
sake of a full-scale production of a trivial drama. The Crawfords decide to
leave the family alone and quickly depart. Mr. Yates (true to his insensitive
manners) remains. The Bertram brothers and sisters go to meet their father who
is delighted to be reunited at last with his family. Fanny comes in after the
rest and is pleasantly surprised at the warmth of Sir Thomas's greeting: he
kisses her and seems especially glad to see her. After chatting about his
trip, he goes off to inspect the rest of the house, being especially desirous
of seeing his own library and billiard room. There - in the new "theatre" - he
finds Mr. Yates declaiming his lines. Tom then hurries in and introduces his
friend. Sir Thomas is very much upset at what his children have done and
announces that there will be no more theatrics. When Mr. Rushworth indicates
his disapproval of acting-primarily because he is jealous of Maria's time -
Sir Thomas compliments him on the maturity of his judgment. He appears
satisfied with his prospective son-in-law. But he looks severely at Edmund, as
if to say, I had expected better from you than to have cooperated in this
indecorous play-acting. The next morning Edmund tries to apologize to his
father, and he assures him that Fanny had nothing to do with converting
Mansfield House into a theatre. Sir Thomas then attempts to remonstrate with
Mrs. Norris for not having prevented this annoying indiscretion, but she
diverts him in her chatterbox way with talk of how she contrived to get Mr.
Rushworth to propose to Maria. Maria, on the other hand, is impatient for
Henry to propose marriage to her. She is mortified when he calls to announce
his departure. Julia, of course, is glad at the news, for she sees that
Henry's vanity has used them both: he had never been serious. Sir Thomas is
happy to see Mr. Yates leave a few days later, for his manners leave much to
be desired.

     Edmund complains to Fanny about his father's neglecting to invite the
Grants and Mary Crawford to Mansfield Park. He obviously misses Mary's
company. He predicts to Fanny that his father will soon discover how dull Mr.
Rushworth really is. In this, Edmund is quite right. And when Sir Thomas
notices in addition his daughter's coolness to Rushworth, he asks her if she
does not indeed repent of the engagement, for he would undertake to break it
off if she gave the word. But Maria, now that she has been spurned by Henry
Crawford, is determined to attain possession of Sotherton and of the wealth
that it implies. She assures her father that she wishes to marry Rushworth,
and her father is happy at the prospect of such a good connection - in wealth,
if not in wit. Mrs. Rushworth then retires to Bath to leave Sotherton for its
new mistress. Maria is married to Rushworth at Mansfield Park by Dr. Grant.
Julia now is able to be friends with her sister, who invites her to keep her
company at Sotherton.

     The family circle is now quite contracted at Mansfield, and Fanny assumes
a new importance. And because Mrs. Grant doesn't want her sister to be bored
at the Parsonage, she takes to inviting Fanny. Mary appears to desire Fanny's
company, for whom she plays the harp. Although Fanny spends a good deal of
time in Mary's company, she does not particularly like her, for she knows that
Mary wants her company only to ward off boredom. One day, while Fanny is
discoursing on the beauties of nature and Mary is showing herself indifferent
to them, Edmund appears at the Parsonage. He had been sent by his mother to
fetch Fanny. Mary speaks of her determinations to be rich, and she makes fun
of Edmund because he does not share her sentiment. After receiving an
invitation to return the next day for dinner, Edmund and Fanny walk back home.

     Lady Bertram and Mrs. Norris (her sister) are quite upset at Mrs. Grant's
having invited Fanny for dinner. What will Lady Bertram do without Fanny to
wait on her! But Sir Thomas, who is quite pleased with the way the
eighteen-year-old girl had developed, gives his complete approval for Fanny's
visit and (much to Mrs. Norris's chagrin) assigns his carriage to convey Fanny
to the Parsonage. There, Edmund and Fanny find Henry Crawford just come back.
He indiscreetly tells Fanny of how dull Maria must be finding her husband,
Rushworth. Then he tells Mary that Edmund is soon to take Holy Orders and will
have an income of only seven hundred pounds a year. Mary is inwardly furious
that Edmund is really going through with his plans. She had hoped that she
would be able to influence him to change his career in order to win her hand.

     The next day, Henry announces to his sister that he is going to make
Fanny fall in love with him - just to please his vanity. He finds her quite
attractive indeed, now that he has the opportunity to spend some time with
her. Although Fanny loves Edmund and disapproves of henry, she does melt
somewhat under the influence of Henry's careful attentions. But several days
later, her brother William arrives on leave from the Navy. Fanny is
ecstatically happy. Sir Thomas, too, is quite pleased at his nephew. Henry
earns Fanny's gratitude by lending William a horse to go hunting with. The
Grants soon invite the family of Mansfield Park to dine at the Parsonage. Sir
Thomas graciously accepts. During the evening he notices Henry paying close
attention to Fanny. Mary is distressed to hear her brother say that he
visited Thornton Lacey-eight miles away -where Edmund is to take up residence
in,a couple of weeks after his duration. Henry remarks that he would like to
rent the place from Edmund (who, assumes Henry, will surely reside at
Mansfield Park) so that he will have a place in the neighborhood. Sir Thomas
understands that he means this as a hint that he is interested in Fanny. But
Edmund and Sir Thomas agree that a clergyman's place is with his flock: Edmund
will not be merely a "Sunday priest." But Henry will be a welcome guest at any
time.

     Sir Thomas decides to hold a dance at Mansfield Park for Fanny and
William especially. It happens to fall on the day before Edmund is to depart
for his ordination. He is worried about whether Mary is inclined to accept
his proposal of matrimony. Fanny is worried about what to wear for the dance.
She consults Mary, who makes Fanny accept a gold chain for a cross her brother
William gave her. Fanny is disturbed, because the chain was a gift to Mary
from her brother.

     When Fanny returns home from the Parsonage she finds Edmund upstairs
writing her a note. On seeing her come in he does not complete it, but gives
her a necklace for the cross her brother gave her. Fanny is thrilled at
Edmund's thoughtfulness. When she tells him of Mary's present, he is delighted
at her having thought of the same thing. He insists that Fanny wear Mary's
necklace for the ball. Fanny perceives Edmund's growing love for Mary. He
tells Fanny he is going off to the Parsonage to ask Mary for the first two
dances. He confesses that he is worried, for there is someting in
Mary - something perhaps bad - that disturbs him.

     The day of the ball, Fanny is happy to discover that the chain that Mary
gave her is too big for her cross and she must wear Edmund's necklace. Sir
Thomas makes much of Fanny, insisting that she lead the procession to start
the ball - it is really given in her honor. Henry Crawford dances with Fanny a
great deal and reinforces Sir Thomas's impression that he is serious about
Fanny. Edmund, however, is depressed because Mary told him that she will never
dance with him after that night; for she has never danced with a clergyman and
does not intend to break her record. The next morning William leaves for
Portsmouth for duty with the Navy. Henry, who is going off to London, takes
him in his carriage. Edmund, too, departs that day to stay with a friend,
Owen, who is also taking orders. Fanny is very sorry to see William go, but is
relieved by Edmund's absence - for this separates him from Mary Crawford.
Fanny is sure that Edmund is misjudging her and deceiving himself in falling
in love with Mary. Miss Crawford, on the other hand, misses Edmund very much.
She is bored at having only Fanny's company and announces that she will be
leaving before Edmund returns. She asks Fanny to convey her goodbyes to
Edmund. Mary is secretly jealous of Edmund: she thinks his long stay at the
Owens' may be due to one of the three Owen girls.

     That evening, Henry returns from London. Much to his sister's
astonishment he tells her that he is sincerely in love with Fanny and wants to
marry her. Mary agrees with him that Fanny will make a marvelous wife. She
laughs at the irony in his having set out merely to have a flirtation. Henry
resolves to ask Fanny for her hand as soon as he finds her alone. He will do
so much to make her happy! The next morning when Henry finds himself alone
with Fanny he hands her a letter from his uncle, the Admiral, stating that he
has managed to have William made a lieutenant in the Navy. Fanny is overjoyed;
but when Henry hastens to add that he is in love with her, she quickly
discounts his professions as insincere flattery. That evening Henry returns to
dine at Mansfield  Park. He hands Fanny a letter from his sister
congratulating her and urging her to accept Henry. Fanny is genuinely
confused. On the basis of their past behavior she distrusts both Henry and his
sister. She just can't bring herself to believe that Henry's suit is sincere.
And she was not in love with him to begin with. When Henry asks for a reply to
his sister's note, Fanny writes Mary a note thanking her for her
congratulations on her brother's promotion and dismissing Henry's suit as not
genuine and not wanted. Henry receives the note and leaves.

     The next morning, Fanny is surprised to see Henry Crawford approaching
the house. Though she is certain that he cannot - after her refusal the day
before - be coming to see her, she remains in her room so as to avoid seeing
him. After a time Sir Thomas comes to her room and reports that Henry has
asked for her hand. Henry has led him to believe that Fanny has no serious
obstacle in the way. Sir Thomas considers merely that she has been quite
properly cautious. But when Fanny tells Sir Thomas that she is not and can
never be in love with Henry, he becomes very angry. This is a wonderful match
for her. She is most fortunate. He would have been proud to offer his
daughters to him if he had asked. Fanny is ungrateful and proud. Sir Thomas
begins to suspect that Fanny is in love with Edmund - the very thing that he
had hoped to avoid all these years. Finally, he makes her agree to see Henry
again briefly. The next day, Henry calls and Sir Thomas sends for Fanny. Henry
again declares his love: he won't take no for an answer: he won't even
understand that it is no that Fanny is saying. At last, after Fanny insists
that there is absolutely no chance for him, Henry leaves her. But he tells Sir
Thomas that he will not yet give up. His vanity just cannot believe the plain
truth. Sir Thomas agrees with Fanny never to talk of the subject again, but
Fanny must see Henry when he calls at the house just as in the past. It won't
be for long, for he is due to leave soon. When Lady Bertram finds out about
the proposal she begins to think better of Fanny. Mrs. Norris, on the other
hand, is annoyed that Henry should have preferred Fanny to Julia. Fanny is
very upset because Sir Thomas is disappointed in her. She cannot tell him of
the reasons for her disapproval and distrust of Henry Crawford - for that
would entail revealing Julia's and Maria's improper behavior at the time. She
thus must suffer her uncle's anger and frustration, able to say only that she
does not love Henry.

     Edmund returns in a few days, surprised to find Mary Crawford and her
brother still at the Parsonage. He had deliberately delayed his home-coming
so he would not have to see Mary again -assuming that after having been
ordained, he would have no more chance with her. He is, however, delighted
with the warm reception Mary gives him and begins to think that he may yet be
able to make her his wife. When he hears about Henry's proposal to Fanny, he
is immediately of his father's opinion and hopes that Fanny will finally come
to accept him. Henry is a frequent caller and he tries to charm Fanny into
loving him. When Edmund sees how Fanny admires Henry's reading of a portion
of Shakespeare's Henry VIII, he begins to think that Fanny is somewhat
attracted to him. Henry tries to be a completely reformed character. He
talks to Fanny and Edmund about the importance of eloquence in clergymen and
seems quite appreciative of Henry's new profession. But Fanny does her utmost
to avoid any conversation with Henry - in spite of his many entreaties to join
the conversation.

     As the time of the Crawfords departure draws near, Edmund takes on the
responsibility of sounding Fanny out. He tells her of Henry's many merits, of
his sister's desire to have Fanny in the family, and he urges Fanny to find it
in her heart to accept him - though, of course, Edmund would never have Fanny
marry without love. When Fanny says that she will never lover Henry, Edmund
somewhat sharply accuses her of irrationally making up her mind in advance.
When Fanny speaks of the incompatibility of their temperaments, he urges that
they are really complementary. He denies that Henry's behavior with Maria
indicates any serious defect of character and suggests that his sisters may
even have led Henry on to flatter their vanity. But Fanny is firm. Edmund
then turns the conversation to Mary Crawford. Since she and her brother are
to leave in a few days, he seems to think that he must now move fast. He
remarks that it's a good thing he did not delay his return home any longer.

     Edmund reports to his father that Henry has rushed things and suggests
that the best thing to do is to wait until time and Crawford's persistence
bring Fanny to change her mind. Sir Thomas agrees, but he thinks Fanny very
much mistaken. Mary then comes to pay a last visit before leaving for
London. She talks to Fanny as if her marriage to her brother were an eventual
certainty. She admits to her that the necklace she gave Fanny had been
purchased by Henry precisely for Fanny. Fanny says that if she had known she
would never have accepted. She finds it difficult to respect a man who would
flirt with an engaged woman as Henry has done. Maria admits that Henry is a
flirt, but claims that Henry loves only Fanny and is not in the habit of
falling in love himself. Mary makes Fanny promise to write her in London - and
Fanny is happy to see Mary leave. She thinks her unworthy of Edmund - too
superficial for him. Henry Crawford says his goodbye to Fanny without trying
to press his suit further.

     William arrives on a short leave after his commission, and Sir Thomas
decides to let Fanny spend two or three months in Portsmouth visiting her
family and getting a look at William in his new Lieutenant's uniform. He
hopes that some time away from the comforts of Mansfield Park will make her
more appreciative of what she might be giving up in turning Henry down.
Before she and William set off for Portsmouth, Edmund tells Fanny that he is
going off to London. He strongly hints that he will propose marriage to Mary
Crawford. Fanny is very upset.

     Soon after they arrive in Portsmouth, William must hasten off to join his
ship the Thrush, which is preparing for a voyage. Fanny is, in general, most
disappointed with her family. Her father is crude, vulgar, inconsiderate, and
all but ignores her presence. Her mother is a disposed to indolence as her
sister, Lady Bertram. The children show no signs of good breeding. The
quarters are confined and uncomfortable and make Fanny think of the comforts
of Mansfield Park Fanny does, however, find in Susan - the next oldest
daughter - a sensitivity and aptitude for learning that encourage her to take
Susan under her wing and help her improve herself. Portsmouth society is as
disappointing as the family. How Fanny misses Mansfield Park!

     A letter arrives from Mary Crawford in London. This time Mary does not
tell Fanny of how many women are after her brother. He is away to his
estate, Everingham, in Norfolk. She has seen Fanny's cousins, Julia and Maria
(Mrs. Rushworth). Although Fanny does not like Mary and was envious of her
because of Edmund's interest in her, she is glad to get her letter: it is a
welcome change from the inelegant routine of her life with her family in
Portsmouth.

     In a few days Fanny is shocked to see Henry Crawford call on them. He
contrives to get Mrs. Price to urge Susan and Fanny to take a walk with him.
As they go out they meet her father coming in. Much to Fanny's surprise and
gratification, his manners automatically improve in the presence of so obvious
a gentleman and Fanny is not embarrassed in front of Henry. Her father takes
them on a tour of the shipyard. Later, Henry tells Fanny that he had gone to
his estate to make sure that some poor tenants of his were not thrown off his
property by his steward. Fanny is agreeably impressed by the seriousness and
charity of Henry's action. Henry also tells her that Edmund has come to
London. Fanny now must assume that Edmund and Mary will become engaged.

     The next day Henry comes to say good-bye to Fanny. He speaks to her of
the problems of managing his estate, of having to watch his manager to make
sure that he does not cheat the poor and himself. He asks for Fanny's
approval of his decision to return to Everingham to check up on things, but
she says that he certainly knows the right thing to do and has no need of her
approval. Then, noticing that Fanny's color seems faded and recalling her
relatively weak constitution and her lack of exercise since coming to
Portsmouth, he urges her to return to Mansfield soon. He asks her to write
his sister the moment she feels like returning. They will come and fetch her
immediately. Then, pressing her hand he takes his leave. Fanny, though
impressed by his manners and sentiments, still has no desire to become his
wife.

     Two days later a letter arrives from Mary in London. She promises to
come for Fanny whenever she asks her to. She gossips about her activities in
London. She wants to bring her brother and Maria (Mrs. Rushworth) together
for the pleasure of watching their reactions. She mentions that Edmund is in
town and that everyone agrees that he has a very superior appearance. She is
especially glad at her friend Mrs. Fraser's approval of his looks. How
fortunate that Edmund is not yet wearing a clergyman's garb. Fanny is annoyed
with Mary's superficial opinion of Edmund: to speak only of "appearance," to
seek the opinion of one who can hardly know him. And Mary's desire to bring
Henry and Maria together indicates a mean and malicious and superficial
judgment. Fanny wories and wonders when Edmund will propose to Mary.

     Several week later Fanny receives a long letter from Edmund, who is now
in Mansfield Park. He writes that Maria was very cold the first time she met
Henry, that he could not stand the company of his dull brother-in-law, Mr.
Rushworth, that the company in London was dull, and that he and everyone at
Mansfield misses Fanny very much. However, Sir Thomas does not plan to come
and fetch Fanny for several weeks. He then speaks of his great love for Mary
Crawford - the only woman whom he will ever love. He is very disappointed in
her reception of him in London. He fears that she may not want to accept the
lowly role of a clergyman's wife. He blames her flightiness and
superficiality on the influence of Mary's friends. He plans to write her a
letter stating his desire to marry her. That way, she will have more time for
reflection before replying. Fanny thinks that Edmund is very much deceived.
Mary Crawford loves no one but her brother and herself. She is quite capable
of corrupting her friends, rather than the other way around. The suspense of
waiting for Edmund to write Mary is hardly bearable. She almost resigns
herself to Mary's acceptance of Edmund's offer.

     Lady Bertram writes that Tom, who has been with his friends all these
months, has fallen ill in Newmarket. Edmund goes to him and brings him to
Mansfield after several days. He is still quite sick when he arrives.

     Tom begins a slow and steady recovery. In a few days Mary Crawford
writes to Fanny to ask her to discover the details of Tom's illness. She has
been told by Maria that it is grave, and she cannot help thinking of how nice
it will be for Edmund to become the principal inheritor of his father's
estate. She then informs Fanny that she is still first in Henry's heart - even
though he has been visiting the Rushworths - and implores her to let them come
down to Portsmouth and take her back to Mansfield. Fanny is shocked at Mary
Crawford's crude ambition. She writes that she will wait for her uncle to
bring her home. Poor Edmund, it appears that his own attractions are not
sufficient to win Mary, he must be rich before she will consent!

     In a couple of days Fanny receives a short note from Mary asking her not
to believe any rumors she may hear about her brother and the Rushworths. Mary
is sure that all can be explained. Fanny is unable to understand the meaning
of the letter. But the next day, her father reads her an item from the
newspaper telling of a Mrs. R's running off with a Mr. C, who is a close
friend of Mr. R. Fanny then understands the "rumor" Mary was alluding to.
Next, she receives a letter from Edmund, who is terribly upset at what has
happened-especially in view of his intended proposal to Mary. He informs Fanny
that in addition to Maria's having run off with Henry, Julia has eloped with
Mr. Yates and is now in Scotland. The family is triply upset: Tom's illness,
Maria's adultery and flight, and Julia's unseemly elopement. Edmund tells
Fanny that he will come for her and Susan (whom Sir Thomas has invited) the
next day. He mistakenly believes that Fanny is very hurt by what Henry has
done. But it is Edmund Fanny loves!

     After a few days Edmund tells Fanny of an interview he had with Mary
Crawford when he went to London with his father to see what could be done
about the family disaster. He was finally forced to see the real nature of
Mary's character. She was upset mainly by the folly of her brother's actions,
by their having let Mr. Rushworth's mother's maid catch them and so prevent
any hushing up, by Maria's folly in running off with a man who did not love
her and giving up so much wealth. Mary was angry with Fanny for not having
accepted Henry before. It was all Fanny's fault! (Mrs. Norris had been of the
same opinion.) Mary wanted her brother to marry Maria, for he stood no chance
of getting Fanny now. Edmund, his eyes now open to the superficiality of
Mary's character, to her insensitivity, to her indifference to morality,
replied that he wished he could think of Mary now as he thought of her
previously. Edmund admits to Fanny that he was deeply deceived about both
Henry and Mary. He is now terribly hurt.

     Sir Thomas is consoled to discover Julia and her new husband, Mr. Yates,
quite penitent. Mr. Yates is very eager to please and seems to be not so bad
a match as had been anticipated. But Sir Thomas is forced to reflect on his
own responsibility for all that has happened. He should have prevented Maria's
marriage when he saw that she did not love Mr. Rushworth. He should have known
his daughters better. Maria lives with Henry in the hope that he will marry
her, but when at last she realizes that has no intention, she wishes to be
received back at Mansfield Park. But though Mrs. Norris takes her part, Sir
Thomas refuses, and arranges to establish Maria permanently away from home. He
is quite relieved when Mrs. Norris decides to go and live with Maria, her
favorite. Since he came back from his long voyage he has come to see Mrs.
Norris as a bad influence in the household.

     Henry had only intended to flirt with Maria, but her coldness to him at
their first meeting prompted him to try to win her love. He tried very hard to
keep their affair secret, so as not to compromise his chances with Fanny. But
Maria finally managed to get him to go away with her. He now lives in regret
of his loss of Fanny. He seems never to have believed that Fanny did not and
would not love him. Dr. and Mrs. Grant take up residence in a parish in London
and Mary comes to live with them. She is unable to rush into marriage, because
she is conscious of what she has lost in Edmund. Eventually, Edmund comes to
see that Fanny is the girl for him, and they get married with Sir Thomas's
blessing. They settle at Thornton Lacey, and, after the death of Dr. Grant -
who still possessed the parish of Mansfield - Edmund and Fanny move to the
Parsonage at Mansfield Park. There they live happily ever after. Susan stays
on at Mansfield and takes Fanny's place attending Lady Bertram.