Welcome to Pemberley! And...
Posted by Helen on December 05, 1997 at 10:51:06:
In response to In response to: Fanny's faith, written by Lea on December 04, 1997 at 20:13:05
Hi, Lea, I hope you settle right in here and enjoy exploring this and the other boards. Have you come across our Newcomers' Orientation, which will tell you all you want to know?
] ] ] Perhaps I am prejudiced though, because I really do identify with the character of Fanny. I have values very similar to Fanny's. Being a Christian, I do understand why she felt the way she did about things that were going on around her.
] ] Yes, indeed--it is Fanny's Christian faith that gives her the strength to face up to her uncle and to endure the loss of family support in the only adult decision she has ever been allowed to make. It is amazing that she did not knuckle under to such incredible pressures!
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] Firstly, let me say thanks for replying to my message. It's my first here at Pemberley. I do think it is Fanny's faith in God that allows her to have the courage to reject Henry Crawford and face the displeasure of the Bertram's and Mrs. Norris. I was painfully shy as a teenager/young adult and still somewhat reserved (now in my 30's), I have to say that despite my shyness, I still stand up for what's right even when it isn't popular.
I agree with you, it's Fanny's religious faith that makes her able to stand up for herself - a person who has, in externals, no method or reason to resist what more dominant people want from her, can appeal to a higher authority to justify herself.
I think that it is this clear Christian faith underpinning Fanny that makes her the least accessible of JA's heroines, because if you do not share, or at least understand, Fanny's belief-system, you will find it hard to comprehend her behaviour. MP as a whole throws up some very profound challenges to society's norms of what makes people good, attractive, or "right".
Helen
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