BarbaraB: Your allusion to Biblical themes in the middle of your marvelous post struck a chord with me. I have probably said this before but it may bear repeating. At the end of my first re-read of M.P. over a month ago, I thought of Fanny as a type of savior-figure to M.P. and especially Sir Thomas. I strongly believe his redemption was solely the work of Fanny's love, respect, and gratitude throughout the story. Heaven only knows what else would have happened to Mansfield Park without the radiant influence of Fanny's virtue.