Mediocrity of condition

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Mediocrity of condition Written by Ramya (10/5/2010 11:37 a.m.) in consequence of the missive, Well said Jeffrey., penned by Barb JA

Of all things Sir Thomas has mentioned, this appears the most cruel and unaccountable. What is the point of taking a child out of her family if you are just preparing her for a mediocre life in another part of the country? Sir Thomas had kind intentions, but the execution was horrible. He starts out saying that he would provide a gentlewoman's provision if she doesn't get married. However, when his financial situation becomes unstable, he is ready to make off all the responsibility of future provision to Mrs. Norris.

Fanny would have been much happier living in Portsmouth, taking care of and playing with her siblings rather than being a glorified slave in Mansfield. She has the advantage of a better education in Mansfield, and perhaps, she is in better health than she might have been in Portsmouth (he mother calls her delicate and puny (Chap.1)), but little else.

I find this whole chapter really horrible to read. I can understand where Sir Thomas is coming from, especially as he has been very kind to her and tried to advance the match as much as possible after his return from Antigua. However, he simply lacks empathy, and his rants and oppressive manner are horrible.

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Sir Thomas goes to the East Room (ch 32) BarbaraB (10/5/2010 1:01 a.m.)

More reversals Tom P2 (10/10/2010 9:46 p.m.)
- Reversals and turning the other cheek Barb JA (10/12/2010 10:29 a.m.)
  - Misery, gratitude, and night sky Tom P2 (10/12/2010 5:19 p.m.)
    - Sorry, I sure misunderstood... Barb JA (10/13/2010 7:29 a.m.)
      - No problem. It's a familiar hazard of attempted succinctness. nfm Tom P2 (10/13/2010 7:07 p.m.)
- Well put! nfm Rachel G (10/11/2010 3:54 a.m.)
Henry's timing Louise H (10/6/2010 11:20 a.m.)
- Emotional blackmail. Rachel G (10/6/2010 1:18 p.m.)
  - succinctly well put-doing right things with wrong motives(NFM) jeffrey (10/7/2010 1:08 p.m.)
IMHO, It is the methods used not the end desired . . . KatharineW (10/5/2010 9:16 p.m.)
Respect & Betrayal Robbin (10/5/2010 7:15 p.m.)
Ch 32, to me, is one of Miss Austen's smaller masterpieces jeffrey (10/5/2010 9:44 a.m.)
- Sir Thomas' tirade - a less charitable view. Rachel G (10/5/2010 11:56 a.m.)
  - Sir Thomas Bridget D (10/7/2010 2:57 p.m.)
  - Sir Thomas needs a SUTH Erica (10/6/2010 10:01 p.m.)
  - Right to refuse Barb JA (10/6/2010 7:19 a.m.)
  - Fanny’s Right to say No & Independent Thought Robbin (10/5/2010 6:54 p.m.)
  - Thank you Rachel G Mia I. (10/5/2010 5:40 p.m.)
    - Thank God, this is not the end of the story! (NFM) jeffrey (10/5/2010 11:52 p.m.)
  - At this point in the story, I definitely agree with you... jeffrey (10/5/2010 1:26 p.m.)
    - Partnership? Yeah, Way to go! ;-D nfm Rachel G (10/5/2010 5:08 p.m.)
      - Don't know how to take this so.... jeffrey (10/6/2010 12:08 a.m.)
        
        I'd like.... Rachel G (10/7/2010 3:22 a.m.)
- Well said Jeffrey. Barb JA (10/5/2010 10:29 a.m.)
  - Observation & Misconceptions Robbin (10/5/2010 9:01 p.m.)
  - romantic delicacy was certainly not to be expected from him Stephanie (10/5/2010 1:35 p.m.)
    - Fanny's reticence Erica (10/6/2010 10:56 p.m.)
    - Fanny's secrets Barb JA (10/6/2010 7:00 a.m.)
      - Inner strength. Rachel G (10/6/2010 8:16 a.m.)
        
        Exactly so, Rachel G! (nfm) Cathy Allen (10/6/2010 4:03 p.m.)
    - Delicate Health? Jane Marie (10/5/2010 4:18 p.m.)
  - Mediocrity of condition Ramya (10/5/2010 11:37 a.m.)
    - Empathy & Intentions Robbin (10/5/2010 6:39 p.m.)
      - Execution was horrible   Barb JA (10/7/2010 7:21 a.m.)
        
        I agree: absence of a dowry   Ramya (10/7/2010 10:37 a.m.)
        
        Fanny a slave   Bridget D (10/7/2010 1:53 p.m.)
    - Yes, agree with the exception of one point: jeffrey (10/5/2010 12:59 p.m.)
      - Not unsubstantiated   Ramya (10/7/2010 10:52 a.m.)
        
        Advantages of Portsmouth   Robbin (10/8/2010 1:17 a.m.)
        
        William Fanny etc   Bridget D (10/9/2010 5:25 a.m.)
        
        Also   Erica (10/9/2010 11:42 a.m.)
        
        Fanny   Bridget D (10/9/2010 4:36 p.m.)
        
        Fanny dined at the Parsonage   Robbin (10/10/2010 1:46 a.m.)
        
        Not surprising   Barb JA (10/10/2010 11:36 a.m.)
        
        Fanny out   Bridget D (10/10/2010 1:59 p.m.)
        
        Fanny coming out   Bridget D (10/10/2010 2:51 a.m.)
        
        Advocating for Fanny   Robbin (10/10/2010 11:14 p.m.)
        
        Fanny nad balls   Bridget D (10/11/2010 3:03 a.m.)
        
        Bertram's finances   Erica (10/10/2010 2:53 p.m.)
        
        Dowry   Erica (10/10/2010 1:03 a.m.)
        
        Mansfield Park may be the lesser of two evils   Ramya (10/9/2010 4:54 p.m.)
        
        Portsmouth   Bridget D (10/9/2010 5:30 p.m.)
        
        We know for a fact that her life at MP   Ramya (10/9/2010 6:26 p.m.)
        
        Portsmouth and Mansfield   Bridget D (10/10/2010 6:12 a.m.)
        
        Very true   Erica (10/10/2010 2:55 p.m.)
      - What about Henry's part in all this   Angela L (10/6/2010 5:30 a.m.)
        
        What did Henry say?   Barb JA (10/6/2010 8:29 a.m.)
        
        She practically ran away screaming   Robbin (10/8/2010 12:08 p.m.)
        
        Proper modesty & reticence.   Rachel G (10/6/2010 1:08 p.m.)

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