Even though I love all the Jane Austen books and I am a massive fan of hers, I think this is my least favourite of the six books. I dislike all of the characters really. They all seem the complete opposite of every other character in her other books, and the qualities that are praised in the heros and heroines of other books seem reversed here and used to represent the ‘baddie’ characters, and the characteristics that have made up boring and silly people in her other books seem to be present in the ‘good’ characters here. For example Mary Crawford is supposed to be ‘bad’, she is represented as thoughtless, wild, too confident and independent and inconsiderate, and yet I can see a similarity between her and Elizabeth Bennet (in Pride & Prejudice). Elizabeth is playful and cheerful; she speaks her own mind; is determined in her convictions, and is different from the ordinary ‘polite’ (and boring) women of her day. And yet Mary is despised for the same qualities as Elizabeth is praised for.

Another example is with the character of Henry Crawford. He is meant to be despised, and he begins as a disrespectful, flirty man with no consideration for womens’ feelings and yet, beyond his control, he falls in love with Fanny which completely changes him. All his previous notions and priorities are altered. Isn’t this what happened to Darcy (in Pride & Prejudice)? He was proud rather than flirty, but he was insensitive to people’s feelings. He wasn’t allowed (by Jane Austen) to marry Elizabeth until he had changed and until she had influenced him and made him into a better person. Isn’t this what Fanny does to Henry - by her quiet and respectful nature she shows him the proper way to behave and he changes accordingly, and seems to become a better person leaving all his bad ways behind him. So these two characters (Henry and Darcy) seem very similar, but we aren’t allowed to like Henry, just as we aren’t allowed to like Mary.

And Edmund is supposed to be the hero of the story - and, I’m sorry, but I really don’t like him. He seems pompous, full of his own views and opinions, and he takes it upon himself to completely dictate and shape all Fanny’s views and opinions too. He is a strong-minded and stubborn person, who knows he has influence over Fanny, and uses this influence. He isn’t cruel in any way, but he seems so obsessed with his own opinions and determined that these opinions are the only right ones - he seems so big-headed, and pig-headed. He never listens to Fanny, or values her for herself, or allows her to have an opinion of her own. He only talks to her because he is certain of always receiving agreement and praise from her. And this is the man we (as readers) are supposed to like, and wish for Fanny. Surely Mary Crawford’s lively spirits would be better for him (like Elizabeth’s for Darcy), and would help remove some of his pride and pompousness, and make him a better, more rounded person.

As for Fanny herself - well, she is ok - there is nothing to disapprove or dislike in her, but she is boring and insipid; so timid and shy, with no opinions of her own or any determination.

Anyway, the book does annoy me a bit as it seems so opposite to Jane Austen’s usual style. It is like she is playing around with the rules, or just using the same formula that has worked before but altering it in places to make another story seem fresh. I would always choose a Jane Austen book as one of my favourites and I love them all and am loath to criticise them in any way, but Mansfield Park provokes strong feelings in me and many questions.

Tags: Book Reviews, jane austen, mansfield park