Posted by Claire on May 02, 1997 at 12:18:39:
In reply to JA's own feelings about love and marriage posted by Amy on May 02, 1997 at 00:00:09
] ] ... and the marriage of Edmund and Fanny seems too lacking in sexual joy.
] ________
] If Charlotte Bronte did take a page from MP for Jane Eyre -- Bronte showed her dislike for such matches with St. John. I know, I know, he's much much much less likeable than Edmund.
] Maybe when JA wrote this, she was going through a phase when she didn't believe in real, all consuming, fireworks love. That can happen to women, you know.
I agree Margaret with all your points. The books seems to be about the central character, Fanny, who comes to live at Mansfield Park with relatives. The title is a bit misleading, I think. And while I liked the book, and thought it very interesting, particularly the way Austen's characters are so well defined that one feels as though each is someone you've met, etc. It;s been a while since I read Mansfield Park, but I recall feeling let down, and a bit perplexed. There is an interesting interlude in which Henry C reads from a book that Fanny had been reading to her aunt, in which it seems Fanny is a very perceptive and wise person -- this is when she finally tells Henry that it's a pity he could not always know himself as well as he did at that moment. This is when Henry used the word "constancy" in describing his proclivities. This particular scene defined Fanny to me more than any other.________
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