How far would you go for something you
believe in? How long would you hold on to a dream?
For Fanny Price, the heroine of
Mansfield Park, standing by firm convictions might mean losing the
respect of family and friends and endangering her future financial
comfort and place in society.
Wow! We picked an interesting one to
begin, didn't we? If you are looking for the typical plucky heroine
of Jane Austen and a dashing hero, we don't have them here! The book
begins with a young girl, our Fanny, who is taken in to to their home
in Mansfield Park by her wealthy uncle and aunt to escape her poor
family and a house full of brothers and sisters. Fanny's mother is
sister to this Uncle and Aunt (Sir Thomas and Lady Bertram) and also
sister to Fanny's Aunt Norris, a frequent visitor to Mansfield Park.
The "kindness" of her uncle
and aunt is muted by their constant reminders of her place in
their family as the unfortunate cousin. Aunt Norris is the worst for
these bits of constructive criticism: "People are never
respected when they step out of their proper sphere. Remember that,
Fanny."
Fanny is also snubbed by the most of
the children of the house – her cousins, Maria and Julia, and their
older brother, Tom. Only Edmund, the younger brother, is supportive
of Fanny. He wins her trust by bringing her paper and ink to write a
letter to William, her favorite brother she left behind when she came
to live at Mansfield Park. From that kindness, Fanny and Edmund
develop a friendship that naturally for Fanny, turns to love.
While all the others in the family
remind Fanny of all she is not, only Edmund helps her to see who she
is. She idolizes Edmund, even to the point of overlooking his faults
and shortcomings. One of the shortcomings of Edmund arrives in the
person of Mary Crawford.
Mary Crawford and her brother, Henry,
come to visit their sister, the wife of the parson of Mansfield Park.
From London they bring with them progressive social views that up-end
the morally conservative society of the country. Along with opinions
about marriage for position (Mary says, "A large income is the
best recipe for happiness I ever heard of.") the brother and
sister have all the glamour and intrigue of the big city. Edmund
becomes infatuated with Mary, even as she criticizes his choice to
enter the ministry.
Edmund's attentions toward Mary are a
"torture" to Fanny. Edmund, oblivious to Fanny's feelings
for him, confides in her all the ins and outs of his conversations,
thoughts and plans for his future with Mary. Fanny watches as Mary
strings Edmund along; Mary befriends Fanny, and Fanny has further
pains as she also hears all about Edmund's attentions from Mary
herself. But through all this Fanny holds to her love for Edmund and
hope that they may have a future together.
Henry Crawford, bored with country
life, amuses himself by flirting with both Betram sisters, ignoring
the fact that Maria is engaged to Mr. Rushworth – a man oblivious
to the world around him and low in social skills, but very wealthy
and connected in the community. Henry succeeds in causing both
sisters to fall in love with him and to turn on each other.
Fanny watches all this romantic
intrigue from the sofa in the corner, put there by her frequent
headaches and reminders of her place by Aunt Norris. But when Sir
Thomas leaves England for business overseas and the group decides to
amuse themselves by putting on a play, Fanny turns from the observer
of the group to their conscience. She will not join the play and
scolds them for being involved in it.
Here many readers turn against our
brave Fanny. Why would she become so upset with the idea of putting
on a play? In Austen's time, acting was an inappropriate activity for
a lady of position in society, especially in a romantic play like the
one chosen by the group. The actresses would have put themselves in
compromising situations with men who were not their husbands! I have
read many reviews online that complain about Fanny's outdated views,
but sometimes I am so tired of "nothing left to the imagination"
in Hollywood, and I think Fanny may have a point.
Sir Thomas also believed Fanny had a
point. When he returns home suprisingly early he orders to dismantle
the stage, and all the preparations for the play are discarded. The
group splits up.
Without the play to amuse him Henry
Crawford becomes bored with Julia and Maria. He takes up the
challenge of Fanny Price. He decides to make Fanny fall in love with
him.
This is the most interesting section of
the book. Henry continually visits Fanny with claims of love and
undying devotion. Even though Fanny openly tells him she doesn't
trust him, he romances her with promises to wait for her, to coax her
into love and marriage.
When Henry tells Sir Thomas of his
plans to marry Fanny, Sir Thomas all but insists that she accept the
proposal. Even Edmund and her aunts encourage her to marry Henry.
Though everyone agrees he is a player, he is a well-connected one,
and Fanny's good heart and moral lifestyle will reform his playboy
ways.
With all this pressure from those she
admires and those she fears, Fanny tries to hold to her principles.
But constant visits from Henry and Edmund's persistence with Mary
seem to wear down Fanny's protests. Will she choose the wealthy
untrustworthy Henry, or will she hold out for Edmund even while a
future with him seems more and more unlikely? The twist at the end is
a good one, I think, but I will leave to you to decide if you think
Fanny makes the best choice.
Many reviewers criticize Fanny for
being judgmental or backward. But considering Fanny's life and
viewpoint, I understand her firm convictions. From an early age she
had nothing of her own. Her home, her possessions, even her social
connections were all given to her by her wealthy relations. All she
had were her observations and her opinions. And when the time came
when the whole world was forcing her to give even these up, she hung
on to them and refused to compromise. You may not agree with all her
opinions, but you have to admire her strength.
So, did you read the book? Do you agree with Fanny's choice?
Did you see any Mansfield Park movies?
What did you think? Here's my (very) brief run-down.
-The Netflix version: a miniseries
This one had the screenplay closest to
the book, if that sort of thing is important to you. The costumes are
wonderful, but the hair and makeup are distracting. Horrible wigs on
most of the actors. Many of the characters are spot-on in their
casting and acting, but the actress who plays Fanny is terrible!
Painful to watch her frozen expressions and wooden mannerisms.
-Mansfield Park (1999)
You can see this one on YouTube. This
version has the best cast and acting, but the screenplay is VERY
loosely based on the book. It is annoying that the writers placed 21st
century ideas and understandings on this story. The screenplay
writers didn't get it at all (or maybe they didn't care. Surely
not!). And there are some very disturbing scenes at the end of the
movie. Yes. In a Jane Austen story. You have been warned.
-Mansfield Park (2007)
Also on YouTube. Could not get through
the first ten minutes of this one. Billie Piper is cast as Fanny
Price. Really? I could not watch Rose Tyler as Fanny. (Google Rose
Tyler if you are not a Whovian.) Please watch it and tell me what you
think.
Do you agree with my movie reviews?
Which is more important for a movie adaptation of a novel – good
acting or a screenplay closest to the book?
Are you ready for your next challenge?
How about Emma for April? Ready, set, go!
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