Sir Thomas thought Fanny “far from clever” (2) and Lady Bertram, Maria, Julia and Mrs. Norris thought Fanny stupid but since these opinions were all unjustified I feel they are not really a sound basis for the idea Fanny at eighteen is still acting like a ninny. Actually she never acted like a ninny. She never was a simpleton.

What feelings or opinions is it that you believe Fanny ought to have confided to selfish Lady Bertram who can only think of herself or Sir Thomas whose austere manner and appearance keeps his own vain and outgoing daughters silent? Can you clarify how these confessions could make Fanny’s life easier?

Are you saying Fanny is spineless because she does not ask to attend at least “one formal party or function” in eight years? To which formal party or function are you referring? Fanny can dine out at the parsonage and attend a family party to Sotherton but she could not go out into society because she is not out. Mary quizzed this information out of Edmund:

But now I must be satisfied about Miss Price. Does she go to balls? Does she dine out every where, as well as at my sister’s?”

“No,” replied Edmund; “I do not think she has ever been to a ball. My mother seldom goes into company herself, and dines nowhere but with Mrs. Grant, and Fanny stays at home with her.”

"Oh! then the point is clear. Miss Price is not out." (5)

I imagine Fanny did not wish to draw attention on herself or confide her headache to Lady Bertram because she wished to avoid a scolding from Mrs. Norris. Instead she left her work and went to the other end of the very long room to rest on a sofa. Edmund feels badly because he left Fanny:

“…without any choice of companions or exercise, and without any excuse for avoiding whatever her unreasonable aunts might require.” (7)