Jane Austen discussion

ends with focused preparation of a ball given by Sir Thomas to honor Fanny, and the gift of a chain necklace

I do feel sorry for Maria at the start of volume 2.
Henry was a right rascally rake to make her believe he was in love with her, only to disappear off to Bath without asking for her hand when Sir Thomas returned. She was so sure he was going to rescue her from a loveless marriage with Mr Rushworth.

I feel like I'm getting to see more of Fanny's character now.

I think we are also getting a view of Henry's character. Love 'em and leave 'em. He has a wake of broken hearts behind him and he owns it. Mary is very aware of it and simply chides him for it or disdains her friends for falling for his scheme.

I like that the focus is on Fanny... although Mrs. Norris isn't too happy about the party being for her. Knowing that Fanny has limited energy, she nearly runs her in the ground working her on what should have been her day. But Fanny is determined to enjoy herself.

I loved that Edmund thought enough of Fanny to give her the necklace... a proper necklace whereas Henry's was too much... over the top and didn't fit her brother's cross. Was this a sign that they wouldn't fit?

And poor Lady Bertrum sending Chapman... lawd, that woman.

I never thought of the idea of Henry's fancy necklace not fitting into the loop of Fanny's cross as being a symbol that they would not fit -- that's very good! And William's cross and Edmund's chain fitting together, the two people that she loved most in the world.

J.W. I sometimes wonder if Lady Bertram is drawn from a real-life example. A mother who is good-natured; she is not bad-tempered like Mrs. Norris but she is just so self-centered and doesn't even realize that she is self-centered.

I agree with Nina I feel sorry for Maria too! She was hoping for a last minute save from her marriage to Rushworth. But no such luck! And poor Edmund you can see the signs that he becoming entranced with Miss Crawford and Fanny sees it happening but no one believes her.
The Crawfords, Maria, Julia, Fanny and Edmund and the rest remind me of one those twenty something movies. They are in essence twenty somethings trying to live their lives and meet everyones expectations just as they do today.

I don't fell sorry for Maria . She made her choices., I think -as does JA that Henry gets off too lightly (as do Whikhem, Willoby, Lucy,and to some extent Frank) but that is in real life also and this is JAs criticism of fate aand the unjust ice of life

Mrs wrote: "I don't fell sorry for Maria . She made her choices., I think -as does JA that Henry gets off too lightly (as do Whikhem, Willoby, Lucy,and to some extent Frank) but that is in real life also and t..."
true in that respect she sealed her own fate and that is one of the qualities that makes Jane Austen such an intriguing author she includes in her writing the elements of society that she feels is unjust or should be changed.

Mrs... I would say Wickham and Willoughby got off lightly... to some extent. However, Wickham was stuck with Lydia and no money.

John Willoughby had money but a wife he didn't love and probably didn't love him.

Lucy Steele, had money and a husband she secured only by throwing over his brother.

And Frank Churchill married a woman that loved him beyond reason and tolerated his behavior and flirting with other women. He needed to keep his engagement secret in order to stay in the good graces of his wealthy aunt. Had she not died... he still would have been in the shadows hiding his feelings for Jane Fairfax.

I can’t feel any sympathy for Maria. Her character and her passions were her downfall. She could have chosen differently!

Abigail, I agree with you completely. She walked into her situation with her eyes open.

Finished this one now. Good section because you get to see Fanny starting to come out of her shell.

I always find it strange that Miss Crawford and Mrs. Grant are sisters. It just doesn’t seem to fit to me. Not sure why, though.

I find myself in sympathy with each of the main characters at some point or another, well except Mrs. Norris.

I find it amusing how Mr. Rushworth frequently refers to Henry’s height as less than 5’9” as a point against him. Little details like that make it fun to immerse yourself in an Austen novel, to get perceptions of the time.

Joanna Loves Reading wrote:

I always find it strange that Miss Crawford and Mrs. Grant are sisters. It just doesn’t seem to..."

They are only half sisters, which might explain how different they are, and there is at least 10 yrs between them in age.

You're right - it's all the little details and deft touches of wry humour that make Austen so enjoyable and re-readable!

(as do Whikhem, Willoby, Lucy,and to some extent Frank) but that is in real life also and t..."

But the difference is that Henry has “a sister”! And because he explains his feelings to her, amongst all flirtation characters in JA novels, Henry’s feelings are most clearly known to readers.

Wickham’s motive to elope with Lydia we have to guess, but at least, for Henry, we don’t have to. (With Maria in the end, it is a separate thing…)

To me, Mansfield Park is all about “Henry’s emotional change”. That’s what makes the novel interesting. (Not Fanny and Edmund, which is predictable)

Nina wrote: "Joanna Loves Reading wrote:

I always find it strange that Miss Crawford and Mrs. Grant are sisters. It just doesn’t seem to..."

They are only half sisters, which might explain how different they ..."

Thanks Nina. I had forgotten they were half sisters.

NorikoY wrote: "(as do Whikhem, Willoby, Lucy,and to some extent Frank) but that is in real life also and t..."

But the difference is that Henry has “a sister”! And because he explains his feelings to her, amongs..."

Good points on Henry. He is an interesting character.

Funny thing is; no matter how despicably Mary & Henry may act sometimes, the way they are talking to each other shows that they know, love & trust each other. Which is much more than what can be said about the Bertram siblings! They are all as ignorant about themselves as they are about each other. Although sometimes they appear simply indifferent, which is even worse than ignorant and sometimes Edmund is no exception.

Melindam wrote: "Funny thing is; no matter how despicably Mary & Henry may act sometimes, the way they are talking to each other shows that they know, love & trust each other. Which is much more than what can be sa..."

Oh, you are exactly right! Mary and Henry talk to each other! I have been worndering why I do not dislike Henry and Mary, (Or, I rather like them) so, this is the reason!

I know that their moral characters are more than wanting, but I simly can't help liking them. And this is due to Jane Austen's genius. :) She shows us that they are not only black, but have more layers to them.

In Mansfield Park, Fanny Price’s brother William, gives her an amber cross from Sicily…but why Sicily? Jane Austen had her reasons... https://www.janeausten.co.uk/sicily-a...

Jane wrote: "In Mansfield Park, Fanny Price’s brother William, gives her an amber cross from Sicily…but why Sicily? Jane Austen had her reasons... https://www.janeausten.co.uk/sicily-a..."

Thank you Jane!

This was very, very interesting!

Although the context is Jane Austen novels, I particularly love HF that works in details such as the process for creating gun powder and the components of gunpowder.

I once read a Medieval HF by the great Sharon Kay Penman that gave detail on how soap was made. Also I read an HR where the hero teaches the heroine how to drive a carriage 4-horse team. In this case the author put the detail of “how-to” in the story. I was just thrilled to read this stuff!

Thanks Jane!

what do HF and HR stand for?

Mrs wrote: "what do HF and HR stand for?"

Hi Mrs!

HF = Historical Fiction

HR = Historical Romance