Jane Austens Mansfield Park

1
Jane Austens Mansfield Park

• CI 335
• Jaclyn Cassello

2
Jane Austen Biography

• Born December 16th,1775.
• Seventh of eight children.
• Never married but was engaged.
• Wrote six novels.
• Died in 1817 she was 41.

http//www.myhero.com/myhero/hero.asp?heroAusten_
NWS
3
Jane Austens Influences

• Influenced by Frances Burney who wrote Evelina
  and Cecilia two novels that address the
  conflict of society, marriage, and class system.
• Also influenced by her own life as gentry where
  she remained a dependent woman throughout her
  life.

4
Novels by Jane Austen

• Sense and Sensibility,1811

• Pride and Prejudice,1813

• Northanger Abbey, 1817

• Mansfield Park, 1814

• Persuasion, 1817

• Emma, 1816

5
Mansfield Park

• Jane Austens third novel.
• Most controversial least popularwhy?
• Most socially realistic by stressing class
  situation, morality, inheritance, marriage, and
  the importance of money.

http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mansfield_Park_(novel
)
6
Plot

• Fanny, the heroine, has steadfast morals
  throughout the novel and evades temptation while
  holding onto her secret infatuation for Edmund.
• The Crawfords (Mary and Henry) come and begin to
  create havoc at Mansfield Park.
• Henry Crawford attempts to woo Fanny after an
  illicit flirtation with her engaged cousin,
  Maria.
• Fanny and Edmund must overcome their liaisons
  with the Crawfords in order to be together.

7
Main Characters

• Fanny dependent cousin who lives at Mansfield
  Park. She is always treated as inferior although
  her morals and steadfastness set her up as the
  heroine.
• Edmund the only cousin who befriends Fanny. He
  supports her education as well as her as a
  person.
• Uncle Thomas moral character who strongly
  influences Fanny. Sets her up to believe in a
  patriarchal society.
• Mary Crawford a society woman well aware of her
  influence. Befriends Fanny once Julia and Maria
  are gone in order to get closer to Edmund.
• Henry Crawford finds sport in women.
  Eventually decides that he loves Fanny and wants
  to woo her.

8
Sub-characters

• Maria Julia Fannys two cousins who are
  better educated and more socially apt. They
  often put her down in order to look better.
• Mrs. Norris Aunt to Fanny. She also degrades
  her and tells her how lucky she is to be there.
• William brother to Fanny and her most endeared
  relationship. Is away at sea.

9
Themes

• Marriage Class and money attained by marriage

• Gender Issues the independence of females is
  explored and questioned.

• Social Class Hierarchy Fanny acts as a
  contradiction to the elite class. Explores how
  they work together.

• Inheritance the bulk of inheritance goes to
  the first son. Explores what happens to the
  other children.

• Religion questions the aspect of religion in
  middle-class and elite lifestyles.

10
Conclusion

• Julia runs off to be married without family
  approval.
• Maria is disowned by her family after an affair
  with Henry Crawford.
• The Crawfords are no longer welcome at Mansfield
  Park.
• Fanny and Edmund realize that their friendship is
  the foundation to marriage.

11
References

• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mansfield_Park_(novel
  )

http//www.myhero.com/myhero/hero.asp?heroAusten_
NWS