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emma_in_dreamI have to begin by saying that my opinion of *Mansfield Park* has steadily increased. When I read it in high school I snickered over Fanny’s name and thought she was a terrible kill joy. All of her mumping about in the background worrying about the impropriety of putting on a play was wearing.
But as an adult I love the book. I still don’t think there is inherently anything wrong with play acting – but obviously there was something wrong with Maria Rushworth’s feverish ‘rehearsals’ with Crawford under the very eyes of her fiancé.
And although Fanny says little and takes almost no positive action, she is nonetheless a smouldering volcano of emotions.
‘Fanny, whose tears were beginning to shew themselves…’;
‘but the tears, which a variety of feelings created, made it easier to swallow than to speak.’
‘He had told her not to cry, or had given her some proof of affection which made her tears delightful.’
‘Her uncle's consideration of her, coming immediately after such representations from her aunt, cost her some tears of gratitude when she was alone.’
‘Till she had shed many tears over this deception, Fanny could not subdue her agitation; and the dejection which followed could only be relieved by the influence of fervent prayers for his happiness.’
‘Fanny was too urgent, however, and had too many tears in her eyes for denial…’
‘Another burst of tears…’
‘I feel that we are born to be connected; and those tears convince me that you feel it too, dear Fanny.’
‘Poor Fanny! though going as she did willingly and eagerly, the last evening at Mansfield Park must still be wretchedness. Her heart was completely sad at parting. She had tears for every room in the house, much more for every beloved inhabitant. She clung to her aunt, because she would miss her; she kissed the hand of her uncle with struggling sobs, because she had displeased him; and as for Edmund, she could neither speak, nor look, nor think, when the last moment came with him; and it was not till it was over that she knew he was giving her the affectionate farewell of a brother.’
‘Afraid of everybody, ashamed of herself, and longing for the home she had left, she knew not how to look up, and could scarcely speak to be heard, or without crying.’
‘Fanny was by this time crying so bitterly that, angry as he was, he would not press that article farther.’
But as an adult I love the book. I still don’t think there is inherently anything wrong with play acting – but obviously there was something wrong with Maria Rushworth’s feverish ‘rehearsals’ with Crawford under the very eyes of her fiancé.
And although Fanny says little and takes almost no positive action, she is nonetheless a smouldering volcano of emotions.
‘Fanny, whose tears were beginning to shew themselves…’;
‘but the tears, which a variety of feelings created, made it easier to swallow than to speak.’
‘He had told her not to cry, or had given her some proof of affection which made her tears delightful.’
‘Her uncle's consideration of her, coming immediately after such representations from her aunt, cost her some tears of gratitude when she was alone.’
‘Till she had shed many tears over this deception, Fanny could not subdue her agitation; and the dejection which followed could only be relieved by the influence of fervent prayers for his happiness.’
‘Fanny was too urgent, however, and had too many tears in her eyes for denial…’
‘Another burst of tears…’
‘I feel that we are born to be connected; and those tears convince me that you feel it too, dear Fanny.’
‘Poor Fanny! though going as she did willingly and eagerly, the last evening at Mansfield Park must still be wretchedness. Her heart was completely sad at parting. She had tears for every room in the house, much more for every beloved inhabitant. She clung to her aunt, because she would miss her; she kissed the hand of her uncle with struggling sobs, because she had displeased him; and as for Edmund, she could neither speak, nor look, nor think, when the last moment came with him; and it was not till it was over that she knew he was giving her the affectionate farewell of a brother.’
‘Afraid of everybody, ashamed of herself, and longing for the home she had left, she knew not how to look up, and could scarcely speak to be heard, or without crying.’
‘Fanny was by this time crying so bitterly that, angry as he was, he would not press that article farther.’
