Posted by kathleen (elder) on May 28, 1997 at 07:00:43:
In reply to Re: Yikes! Fanny as a pillar of strength posted by Sherry on May 27, 1997 at 22:11:47
] ] Others have expressed this opinion in other threads far better than I will, but.. Remember that Fanny's status at Mansfield Park is just a notch above that of the servants.
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] Oh really? Well she speaks up loud and clear when it comes to her own future with creepy Crawford!
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Yes, she finally finds her voice. I imagine she felt pushed into a corner, and had to defy Sir Thomas in order not to be trapped in a marriage with a man whom she did not respect, etc.
But as for voicing her opinions re Maria's marriage, well, nobody would have listened to her (even Edmund didn't want to see the problem). Maria (and Mrs Norris) would have been outraged that Fanny would presume to understand Maria's situation better than Maria. Julia might have agreed (out of selfishness and spite), but I can't imagine she would have helped Fanny. Lady B wouldn't have understood the problem -- after all, she thinks it is every woman's duty to marry, and marry as well as possible.
Fanny could hardly discuss all the interactions she witnessed. She would be told she had imagined more than was there, that she didn't understand how worldly young people flirted -- that in short, she was ignorant, prudish, and ought not to socialize with the "grownups" if she doesn't have a "grownup" understanding of the world.
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