I decided to reread all of Austen for Reading Austen 25, even the books I had already reviewed. That said, I looked at my original review of Mansfield Park and thought it was still valid, so I thought I’d write about something else—the modern perception of Fanny Price.
The Introduction to my Folio Society edition by Richard Church asserts that the novel was written as a “self-disciplinary work imposed by Jane to exorcise grief and rebellion” after a promising courtship was cut off by the death of the suitor. Church himself rates Mansfield Park either 2nd or 3rd of Austen’s books, depending on where you put Emma (with Pride and Prejudice first).
A brief glance at Goodreads, however, tells me exactly what I expected to see—that of the six books counted as Austen’s oeuvre, (Sanditon isn’t usually included) Mansfield Park is the lowest rated. I suspect that’s because of Fanny Price, who is not at all a modern heroine. In fact, a few years ago someone made an “updated” movie that depicted Fanny as more of an Elizabeth Bennett- or Emma Woodhouse-like character, full of wit and energy. That movie missed the point. We have to view Fanny with early 19-century eyes, not 21st-century ones.
First of all, think how Fanny was raised. She is brought from her poor family to a wealthy one when she is only 10. She probably already has a retiring and timid disposition. Then for seven years she is treated with no regard for her feelings or wants except from her cousin Edmund. In fact, she is purposefully meant to feel the difference between herself and her cousins and is largely treated as a hanger-on, especially by horrible Mrs. Norris. In fact, it’s shocking to me that such a close relation is so treated, but we’re looking at money and class distinctions that may have been common in families. Think of Jane Eyre in exactly the same position.
But more difficult for the modern mind to deal with are the principles she’s been brought up with. To us, some of the distinctions that Fanny makes seem finicky, to say the least. (Others, like her reaction to Mary Crawford’s remark about the fate of Edmund’s very sick older brother, are not.) But to most of the early 19th century population, at least among the middle class or well-born (excepting, probably, the fashionable), they were not. As far as Henry and Mary Crawford are concerned, they have revealed too much of themselves, Henry in his dalliances with both the Bertram sisters and Mary in her remarks.
Fanny is growing up in this novel, learning to become herself. Much of her improvement comes from being able to develop a sense of self-worth after Sir Bertram returns from his travels and is happy to see her, and Lady Bertram discovers how useful and comforting she is, and different characters suddenly turn to her for advice. She may have learned her principles from Sir Bertram and Edmund, but by the middle of the novel, she is the one who recognizes principled behavior and speech, as Edmund becomes more in love with Mary Crawford and not only makes excuses for Mary’s remarks but is convinced to break his own principles.
Of course, the ultimate behavior of the Crawfords shows that Fanny was right all along, but before that, when Crawford decides he’s in love with her, she has the difficult task of sticking to her principles when everyone else disagrees with her. She may be gentle and retiring, but she resists all pressure. Think how much more difficult that would be for a person of her nature than for Emma or Elizabeth.
This has been rather a wandering post, but I hope that readers will look at Fanny differently.
Soon, we’ll be reading a book with a heroine much more like Fanny than the others, in Persuasion.
Oh, and I just have to say one more thing about the book in general. Edmund takes orders and has a parish, and then we never see him paying any attention to his job. He doesn’t stay in his parish; we don’t see him working on sermons. It’s like he’s completely forgotten about his work. I don’t think I ever noticed that before. There might be something about that which I don’t understand, though.
What? Me Read? 
I agree that Fanny is underrated. It’s remarkable how strong she really is considering her upbringing and position of dependency. She would annoy the heck out of me with her nit-picking moral standards in real life, but I admire her for sticking to her principles! As for Edmund, I think he’s the most pathetic of Austen’s heroes – Fanny really deserved better, but then she didn’t think so. I expect she’ll rule the roost in their household though Edmund will always think he does. No doubt he has a curate to do the actual work of the parish – I think that was the norm for these younger sons who went into the church.
Your comment about Edmund made me laugh, but is he more pathetic than Edward Ferrars? I think they are in a tie. Edward is in a fix, but the least he could do is explain things, or maybe that would be a no-no.
An excellent point – Edward really is a but pathetic and Eleanor deserves better too! But ever since Hugh Grant played him, I’ve decided he’s quite sweet really, though not as sweet as the lovely Alan Rickman – oops! I mean Colonel Brandon! 😉
I loved Alan Rickman, even as a villain!
Especially… 😉
This isn’t my favourite Austen novel but I do like it and have never had a problem with Fanny. Not all heroines need to be witty and lively and I agree that we need to view her from a 19th century perspective, not a modern one.
She isn’t my favorite. I go back and forth, but I think I like Anne from Persuasion the best.
I would have to double-check but I think there is mention of the family going off one Sunday to hear Edmund’s first Sunday service. But there is certainly none of the visiting the poor and ill that they constantly talked about as being part of the role of a curate. Although maybe we can see that as the influence of Mary Crawford distracting him from his duties? And then of course all the stuff with Tom’s illness and Maria and Julia’s marriage problems…
I noticed this time how Fanny is often overwhelmed by strong emotions. She is described by JA as being angry and sad enough to cry a number of times, but she controls these emotions every time. I remembered her as being too timid so was pleasantly surprised to notice the depth of her feelings this time.
I don’t know. My impression was that his parish, although not far away, was not the one the house was in, so he seemed to be spending a lot of time not there.
I think Fanny is really much stronger than she seems. She withstood a lot of pressure. Not many people can do that. And I always felt she had strong feelings that she was repressing.