Quote:
Originally Posted by Bookpossum
Fanny must actually be pretty resilient to survive under the merciless bullying of Mrs Norris. Just one example, when she was about to go to dinner (for the very first time) at the parsonage, her aunt said to her "Remember, wherever you are, you must be the lowest and last." She was only saved by the kindness of Edmund and Sir Thomas, but even so she thought she was worth very little.
|
Austen exposed the worth of a young girl without prospects, without any bitterness. Fanny accepted her place and we saw Mansfield Park through her best when she went "home". We may think she was badly treated by her relatives at Mansfield Park, but it was still a kindness to take her in, and a step up from her origins.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fantasyfan
I would agree about Fanny's resilience. In fact, I am in the process of revising my earlier dislike of her--I used to consider her the least effective of Austen's heroines. I'm beginning to think that I judged her too simplistically.
|
I still disliked her.
I chafed at her attitude and primness and insufferable obedience. That probably says more about me than Fanny.