Mansfield Park by Jane Austen – engaging and thought-provoking classic
Mansfield Park was an engaging and thought-provoking classic. Its serious tone, complex characters, and exploration of real-life situations made it stand out.
Mansfield Park
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
Publication Date : April 2024 (First published July 2, 1814)
Publisher : Penguin Classics
Edition : Select Classic
Read Date : January 29, 2025
Genre : Classic
Pages : 455
Source : Many thanks to Publisher for beautiful Select Classic edition.
Other Books I read by the Same Author –
Synopsis
“Drama is to life what ships are to the sea. A means to traverse it. To plumb its depths, breadth, and beauty.”
At the age of ten years old, Fanny Price was removed from her poverty-stricken home to live with her rich cousins in Mansfield Park. Fanny was beautiful but not seeking beauty, quiet but not weak, sensible but not proud. The residents of Mansfield couldn’t get themselves to show her the fondness she deserved. In the midst of it, she had only one ally in her cousin Edmund.
When the cousins grow older, suddenly the Crawfords family takes residence in the neighbourhood, and the sister-brother duo set off events of romantic encounters and heartbreak.
Will Fanny defend her bonds and protect the life she has built in Mansfield Park? Will she hide her love for Edmund or come forth?
Mansfield Park is touted as Austen’s most mature and sensitive novel, mostly in credit to her heroin who is both sensitive and brave.
Review
It took me longer than usual to finish Mansfield Park, as life kept me occupied with other commitments. The writing style is consistent with Jane Austen’s other works, such as Persuasion and Sense and Sensibility. As I adjusted to the writing style with mentioned books, the story flowed more easily than I expected. However, some passages, with their intricate depiction of characters’ emotions and their struggles to express them, prompted me to reread and reflect.
Mansfield Park is divided into three parts. The first part introduces the characters, their relationships, their personalities, and Fanny’s position in the family, where she is treated as an outsider. This section establishes the family dynamics and highlights Fanny’s struggles as a “poor cousin” taken in as an act of charity. While the drama in this part felt a bit stretched, it was a necessary turning point that began to shift characters’ feelings and gradually revealed their true natures.
The arrival of Sir Thomas Bertram in the second part brings about significant changes. The second part focuses on Henry’s efforts to win Fanny’s favor now that the Bertram sisters are absent, as well as the fluctuating emotions between Mary and Edmund.
The third part is more serious and serves as the culmination of the story, showing the final acts of all the characters. Though this section progressed more quickly than the first two, it tied together the narrative threads effectively.
Fanny is a truly lovely character. While I generally don’t favor timid protagonists who shy away from standing up for themselves, Fanny’s gentleness, sweetness, and kind-hearted nature immediately won me over.
Her circumstances—being taken in by her uncle and aunts—might seem noble on the surface, but their underlying attitudes and treatment of her lacked genuine warmth. Aunt Norris, in particular, made Fanny’s life more difficult with constant taunts, while Aunt and Uncle Bertram’s lack of overt kindness didn’t help. Yet, despite this, Fanny remained loving and deeply grateful, which was both admirable and heartbreaking.
It was saddening to see how the people around her often used her for their own purposes. Even Henry’s pursuit of her was more a strategic move to soothe his ego than genuine affection. When she was sent back to her childhood home, it was framed as a way to remind her of the “privileges” she would lose if she rejected his proposal. Her hope for love and care from her parents and siblings was dashed as well. Through it all, her kindness and compassion remained unwavering, which made her a deeply endearing character.
Fanny’s love for Edmund was evident from the start. He was, after her brother William, the only person who truly understood and cared for her. Her jealousy and protectiveness toward Edmund, especially regarding Mary Crawford, revealed her feelings. However, the gradual shift in her love for Edmund—from familial to romantic—felt a bit understated to me.
It was bittersweet that it took Henry’s betrayal and Mary’s misjudgment for Edmund to finally see Fanny in a new light. Once these external obstacles were removed, he could recognize the depth of her love.
Unlike Persuasion and Sense and Sensibility, the romance in Mansfield Park felt more like a subplot than the central focus. The novel largely revolves around family dynamics, social hierarchy, and Fanny’s unique position as both an insider and outsider within the Bertram family added richness to the story. It was also compelling to see how the Bertrams’ view of Fanny evolved by the end.
I wouldn’t call Mansfield Park an “enjoyable” read in the same way as Persuasion, but it certainly offered a lot of depth. I particularly loved the layered discussions on societal norms, expectations for young women, and the subtle social games played by the characters. The internal conflicts of the protagonists and the schemes of the villains added intrigue, as did the uncertainty surrounding key events. While I was confident Fanny and Edmund would ultimately end up together, I couldn’t predict how the story would unfold, which kept me eagerly turning the pages.
Overall, Mansfield Park was an engaging and thought-provoking classic. Its serious tone, complex characters, and exploration of real-life situations made it stand out, even if the romance didn’t take center stage.
Book Links
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If so, What was your thought about Characters in this book?
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Books Teacup and Reviews
Hi, I'm Yesha, an Indian book blogger. Avid and eclectic reader who loves to read with a cup of tea. Not born reader but I don't think I’m going to stop reading books in this life. “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”
21 Comments
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Carla
I’ve still not read a Jane Austen book and you have now read three. Good for you Yesha. This one sounds a bit too serious for me, but maybe someday. I’m glad you enjoyed it, Yesha.
Books Teacup and Reviews
And I’m currently read Emma. I hope to read all remaining Austen books this year. Yes, this was comparatively more serious than other books I read so far and also it’s longer but there was much to think and discuss about in this.
simplycarinaxo
Nice to see you showcase it – it’s not one you hear talked off as much. I enjoyed it too, although I did find it a touch darker than some of her others – it’s definitely more thought provoking in general. xo
Books Teacup and Reviews
Yes, less fun time more serious topics and conversations between characters isn’t something all readers like but it was really interesting. Thank you!
Rebecca
This is the one Austen novel I’ve not been able to finish in the past … I make it about 1/3 of the way in and bail. So I am determined to do my best to actually finish it this summer. Your breakdown of the story by thirds is helpful actually – that first third is such a struggle for me, if I get past it things may move along better 🙂
Books Teacup and Reviews
this is definitely slow and I really felt that drama portion was unnecessarily long. I could its importance in shaping characters decisions but still it felt like characters had lots of free time and were fooling around which I honestly wasn’t interested in.
Priyasha
https://fable.co/club/jane-austen-book-club-with-priyasha-anand-173317250374 Started a book club for Austen Readers
Books Teacup and Reviews
Hi I saw your post. So I’ll try to join discussion. I’m now reading Emma.
Eustacia | Eustea Reads
I’m glad that you enjoyed Mansfield Park. I’ve always felt it was one of Austen’s more underrated works – Fanny Price is a very quiet heroine but there’s much to admire about her (at least, that’s what I feel)
Books Teacup and Reviews
Right now among 3 books I read – Persuasion, sense and sensibility and This one. Persuasion is my favorite. This had its flaws, that drama portion and first part of the book is too dragging but I enjoyed 2nd and 3rd part.
Krysta @ Pages Unbound
I think I need to give this one another try. I’ve only read it once, and it’s not one my favorites. I think a lot of readers feel that way as Fanny isn’t necessarily a gripping protagonist. But I’d like to see what I think the book now.
Books Teacup and Reviews
She is timid and doesn’t say much. She is more an observant and likes to stay out of focus which isn’t exactly appealing but she stays adamant on her decision regarding Henry quiet strongly even when all tries to convince her to accept him which is good surprise. Even though she kind of stays withing her character, things turned out in her favor for the same reason.
After reading plenty contemporary it make me want to change or rather imagine different actions and reactions from her, I sure wouldn’t like characters like Fanny in contemporary but looking at the time period I think she was acting right being woman of that time period who were treated like charity case and were told on every occasion how lucky she was to have what she have.
kathyscottage
Good review.
Books Teacup and Reviews
Thank you, Kathy!
Bookstooge
This remains one of my least favorite Austen story. While I understand how and why Fanny is the way she is, I don’t care for that kind of character as the main character.
Books Teacup and Reviews
Yes, she isn’t Anne or Elizabeth or Elinor but I could understand her situation. I sure would love Fanny in contemporary but she was fine here.
satyam rastogi
Nice post 🌅🌅
Books Teacup and Reviews
Thank you!
Susy's Cozy World
Fanny truly is lovely! I am glad you enjoyed this one, and you wrote a beautiful review!
Books Teacup and Reviews
Thank you, Susy! 😀