The Crisis of Mansfield Park

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SUMMARY ― 29 ― The Crisis of Mansfi eld Park KITAWAKI Tokuko Mansfi eld Park is the most serious and challenging of Jane Austen’s novels, though it may not be the greatest. It is the name of the stately country house owned by Sir Thomas Bertram in the county of Northampton. Sir Thomas gets most of his fi nancial profi ts from the West Indies sugar trade based on slavery, which“indicates a dangerous split in his loyalties.” (Tanner149) Moreover, he is personally and economically at risk as a result of Napoleonic Wars, during the visit to Antigua of the West Indies. Mansfi eld Park, which is ruled by the tradition of Paternal Authority, is at risk during his absence. The attractive Crawfords with London ethics threaten“everything Mansfield Park represents.” (Monagham94) The Bertram children yield themselves up to the Crawfords, who are living in the world of liberty, amusement and fashion and have no virtues. Maria Bertram, who has married Mr Rushworth only for money, runs away with Henry Crawford, and Julia elopes with Mr Yates. Mansfi eld Park is in crisis as a result of Maria’s guilt, Julia’s folly and Tom’s serious illness. Sir Thomas himself brings about the ruin of Mansfi eld. Though he is a truly anxious father, he fails in the education of his eldest son and two daughters. Sir Thomas cares about their elegance and accomplishments and neglects their defi ciency of“self-knowledge, generosity, and humility.”(MP55) He allows Maria to marry the foolish Mr Rushworth, because he is rich. Lady Bertram is entirely incapable of independent judgement. Therefore, Sir Thomas admits Mrs Norris, who is mean, stingy and selfi sh, to interfere in the education of Maria and Julia. This is a major failure of judgement of Sir Thomas. Fanny Price is a heroine of this novel. She has been brought up in Mansfi eld since she was ten. Fanny and the Bertram sisters cannot be equals. She is treated just like a servant by the Bertrams and Mrs Norris. Fanny is timid, weak, silent and vulnerable, but she“always thinks, feels, speaks and behaves exactly as she ought.”(Tanner143) She is properly educated and the best informed person. After Maria’s marriage, she gradually progresses to the center of Mansfi eld society, admitted by Sir Thomas and Henry Crawford. However, her rejection of Henry’s proposal causes the anger of Sir Thomas. During her stay in Portsmouth, Fanny is very anxious to be useful for everyone in Mansfi eld Park. Sir Thomas acknowledges Fanny to be right after Maria’s elopement with Henry.“Fanny was ― 30 ― SUMMARY indeed the daughter that he wanted.”(MP456) Fanny is aware of Mansfi eld ideals, the moral virtues and is not infl uenced by the Crawfords. Fanny is fi nally recognized as a good partner by Edmund, who gives up Mary Crawford because of her amoral words. Fanny’s suffering from her moral achievement deserves the heroine of this serious novel. .

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An Aristotelian Approach to Jane Austen's Mansfield Park Katherine A
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