Mansfield discussion
Posted by gkb on December 04, 1997 at 19:22:28:
In response to In defence of MP - or are we lightweights?, written by kates on December 03, 1997 at 18:08:54
] Fanny displays a moral courage and steadfastness which is unequalled by any of Austen's other heroines. All the heroines are isolated morally and intellectually, but Fanny's isolation is off a greater order.
I am glad to connect with you; it seems that you share some of my views about the importance and depth of the Mansfield Park novel. I hope that you and others who are enthusiasts can help me more clearly delineate the humor that Austen intermingled with the seriousness of the work. Is it not remarkable how Austen understood the minute behaviors of a young woman in love? Do you recollect the scene when Fanny's love for Edmund and her principles are in conflict? "Having regulated her thoughts and comforted her feelings by this happy mixture of reason and weakness...." That is so brilliant an understnading of human nature that I just sit back and marvel.
A tutor at my college, St. John's, once pointed out how there is a dead silence after Mary Crawford hastens to forestall Edmund in making a pun, and he says, quite matter-of-factly, "There is not the last wit in my nature. I can blunder on the borders of a [witty remark? I don't remember the quote exactly] for hours altogether without striking it out." Then there is silence--what on earth is Mary thinking about after that? It just gets funnier and funnier the more you think about it. He is not gallant, he is not lively, he is not stupid, but he just does not know how to play her games and she does not know how to react to a man who does not play the game!
ANyway, I am glad that you find Fanny Price to be the true heroine that I find her to be and am looking forward to maore conversation with you. I sincerely hope you will find my contributions enjoyable and worth your while.
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