Posted by Kathy F. on July 11, 1997 at 11:52:22:
In reply to MARY Crawford posted by Julia on July 11, 1997 at 09:00:27
] I see we have been discussing only Henry Crawford, and find we've neglected Mary. I would be interested in everyone's opinion--here's mine:
] It is quite possible to like one Crawford and dislike the other intensely. I like Henry, but dislike Mary. I'm not entirely sure why, except that (being female) I find Henry charming and aquit him most of the time. At least he shows spark. But Mary is just a tenacious little worm, with only one view in mind-marrying well. She shows no feelings at all, aside from affection for her brother, which also seems shallow since she could have prevented the Maria disaster quite easily. I don't know if she ever really loved Edmund, but frankly, I think they deserve each other.
] Then Henry would have married Fanny, and things would be better.
________
It's true that she came to Mansfield Park with the intention of marrying Tom Bertram, the heir, but she fell for Edmund, in her way. Edmund was not the heir, and was intent on the church. She willingly looked the other way, and decided that Edmund would never take orders, etc., etc., etc. (a little Emma there, wouldn't you say?), because she didn't want him to. She was, indeed, most shallow, but JA could have reformed her, and they could have lived happily ever after. sigh....
Kathy
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