Fanny Price
Encyclopedia
Fanny Price is the heroine in Jane Austen
's 1814 novel Mansfield Park
. Austen describes Fanny Price as "extremely timid and shy, shrinking from notice", and repeatedly reinforces that Fanny is shy, timid, and afraid of everyone and everything.
lieutenant
in Portsmouth
, who is father to eight other children. Fanny's mother's sisters, the wealthy Lady Bertram and Mrs Norris, offer to take her in and bring her up at Sir Thomas Bertram's estate, Mansfield Park in Northamptonshire
. Upon her first arriving in Mansfield, she is intimidated by her new home and her cousins (Thomas, Edmund, Maria and Julia), and is very homesick. None of her cousins are very obliging to her except Edmund, the younger son, who befriends her and helps her adapt to her new life. Mrs Norris, who prefers her richer cousins, constantly emphasises her inferiority, while Fanny's female cousins make fun of her apparent ignorance. As she grows, she finds Edmund to be a considerate companion and confidante, and she also becomes attracted to him.
As a child, Fanny is described as being small, not a striking beauty, with an awkward but not vulgar air and a sweet voice.
As an adult, Fanny is pretty with a good figure and countenance but tires quickly from any exercise, including dancing.
Fanny is a quiet and conscientious character, timid, who is frequently walked over by her more vibrant and forceful relatives and reluctant to giving her own opinions or asserting herself. She is intelligent and insightful and lives by a strict moral code that has made some Austen reviewers consider her to be "priggish". Kingsley Amis
described Fanny as "morally detestable". Other critics point out that she is a complex personality, perceptive yet given to wishful thinking, and that she shows courage and grows in self-esteem during the latter part of the story. Austen biographer Claire Tomalin
argued that "it is in rejecting obedience in favour of the higher dictate of remaining true to her own conscience that Fanny rises to her moment of heroism."
and his sister Mary Crawford
, whom she cherishes but has been unable to see frequently, because they lived in London. However, they finally come and stay temporarily at the parsonage in order to get away from their London home, where Mary must share a house with her uncle's mistress. The Crawfords are elegant, and both captivate the attentions of the Bertram children, who are no longer subject to the discipline and gravity of Sir Thomas, their father, who has gone to Antigua with Tom to settle some business involving his property there. Both Maria and Julia Bertram are attracted to Henry Crawford, although Maria is engaged to a Mr. Rushworth, a dull, unintelligent, but very rich man. Mary Crawford originally decides to try to captivate Tom Bertram, as he is the older brother and heir to the estates and baronetcy, but he proves to be more interested in his horse racing pursuits. She then becomes more interested in Edmund, who quickly becomes attached to her in turn, as he sees her as congenial and pleasant. Fanny is jealous of Mary Crawford and finds Henry Crawford's attentions to and flirtations with the engaged Maria Bertram to be inappropriate.
. But when he proposes to Fanny, she rejects him due to her love for Edmund, his scandalous flirting with Maria and Julia, and because his behavior has made her believe he has no principles. The refusal angers Sir Thomas, who demands an explanation. Fanny cannot tell anyone of her secret love of Edmund, nor reveal to Sir Thomas Crawford's scandalous behavior towards Julia and Maria. Therefore Sir Thomas believes her to be simply selfish and willful. He remonstrates with Fanny quite severely for her ingratitude for what he has done for her. Fanny is emotionally overcome by this, but still refuses Crawford, as he continues to court her.
Jane Austen
Jane Austen was an English novelist whose works of romantic fiction, set among the landed gentry, earned her a place as one of the most widely read writers in English literature, her realism and biting social commentary cementing her historical importance among scholars and critics.Austen lived...
's 1814 novel Mansfield Park
Mansfield Park
Mansfield Park may mean:* Mansfield Park by Jane Austen* Mansfield Park , based on the novel, directed by Patricia Rozema, starring Frances O'Connor, Embeth Davidtz, and Sheila Gish in 1999...
. Austen describes Fanny Price as "extremely timid and shy, shrinking from notice", and repeatedly reinforces that Fanny is shy, timid, and afraid of everyone and everything.
Fanny's arrival at Mansfield Park
Fanny Price is the eldest daughter of an obscure and poor retired MarineRoyal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
in Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
, who is father to eight other children. Fanny's mother's sisters, the wealthy Lady Bertram and Mrs Norris, offer to take her in and bring her up at Sir Thomas Bertram's estate, Mansfield Park in Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire is a landlocked county in the English East Midlands, with a population of 629,676 as at the 2001 census. It has boundaries with the ceremonial counties of Warwickshire to the west, Leicestershire and Rutland to the north, Cambridgeshire to the east, Bedfordshire to the south-east,...
. Upon her first arriving in Mansfield, she is intimidated by her new home and her cousins (Thomas, Edmund, Maria and Julia), and is very homesick. None of her cousins are very obliging to her except Edmund, the younger son, who befriends her and helps her adapt to her new life. Mrs Norris, who prefers her richer cousins, constantly emphasises her inferiority, while Fanny's female cousins make fun of her apparent ignorance. As she grows, she finds Edmund to be a considerate companion and confidante, and she also becomes attracted to him.
As a child, Fanny is described as being small, not a striking beauty, with an awkward but not vulgar air and a sweet voice.
As an adult, Fanny is pretty with a good figure and countenance but tires quickly from any exercise, including dancing.
Fanny is a quiet and conscientious character, timid, who is frequently walked over by her more vibrant and forceful relatives and reluctant to giving her own opinions or asserting herself. She is intelligent and insightful and lives by a strict moral code that has made some Austen reviewers consider her to be "priggish". Kingsley Amis
Kingsley Amis
Sir Kingsley William Amis, CBE was an English novelist, poet, critic, and teacher. He wrote more than 20 novels, six volumes of poetry, a memoir, various short stories, radio and television scripts, along with works of social and literary criticism...
described Fanny as "morally detestable". Other critics point out that she is a complex personality, perceptive yet given to wishful thinking, and that she shows courage and grows in self-esteem during the latter part of the story. Austen biographer Claire Tomalin
Claire Tomalin
Claire Tomalin is an English biographer and journalist. She was educated at Newnham College, Cambridge.She was literary editor of the New Statesman and of the Sunday Times, and has written several noted biographies...
argued that "it is in rejecting obedience in favour of the higher dictate of remaining true to her own conscience that Fanny rises to her moment of heroism."
The arrival of the Crawfords
When Fanny is 15, her uncle Norris, the local clergyman, dies, leaving the Mansfield living for Edmund, who is intended to be ordained soon; however, Edmund's elder brother, Tom, has been living too extravagantly, and the living has to be sold to repay his debts. A priest named Dr. Grant and his wife move into the parsonage. Fanny's Aunt Norris is compelled to take a small home in the village. Dr. Grant's wife has a half brother and sister, Henry CrawfordHenry Crawford
Henry Crawford is one of the main characters in Jane Austen's 1814 novel, Mansfield Park. He is depicted as a man who only attempts to amuse himself, and at the end is proven to be a reprobate.-First Arrival to Mansfield Park:...
and his sister Mary Crawford
Mary Crawford (Mansfield Park)
Mary Crawford is an antagonist in Jane Austen's 1814 novel, Mansfield Park.-First Appearance:Mary Crawford is introduced in the fourth chapter of the novel. She comes from London in company with her brother, Henry Crawford, and arrives in the country with urbane airs, tastes, and manners, with a...
, whom she cherishes but has been unable to see frequently, because they lived in London. However, they finally come and stay temporarily at the parsonage in order to get away from their London home, where Mary must share a house with her uncle's mistress. The Crawfords are elegant, and both captivate the attentions of the Bertram children, who are no longer subject to the discipline and gravity of Sir Thomas, their father, who has gone to Antigua with Tom to settle some business involving his property there. Both Maria and Julia Bertram are attracted to Henry Crawford, although Maria is engaged to a Mr. Rushworth, a dull, unintelligent, but very rich man. Mary Crawford originally decides to try to captivate Tom Bertram, as he is the older brother and heir to the estates and baronetcy, but he proves to be more interested in his horse racing pursuits. She then becomes more interested in Edmund, who quickly becomes attached to her in turn, as he sees her as congenial and pleasant. Fanny is jealous of Mary Crawford and finds Henry Crawford's attentions to and flirtations with the engaged Maria Bertram to be inappropriate.
The impropriety of a theatre
The elder son, Tom Bertram, now back from Antigua, decides that the party should undertake some amateur theatricals at Mansfield Park. He arranges for a small theatre to be built in the billiard room. All apart from Fanny and Edmund are enthusiastic, and the play Lovers' Vows is chosen after much discussion. Edmund and Fanny think the performance to be improper as the play has some risqué lines and has inappropriately romantic lines between unmarried couples, and they endeavour to persuade the others to abandon the project. Edmund, finally, feels compelled to participate because he feels that a stranger should not be requested to perform in a rather suggestive scene with Mary Crawford. Fanny continues to refuse despite being pressed by the rest of the party and her aunts. She does act as a prompter and helps them rehearse their speeches. A few evenings before the performance, Sir Thomas arrives home early from Antigua and puts an end to the play. Sir Thomas is upset with most of the party, but Edmund informs him, "All of us have been more or less to blame except Fanny."Henry Crawford and Fanny
Maria Bertram falls in love with Mr. Crawford's flirtations, despite her engagement to Mr. Rushworth, who she cares little for and only wishes to marry because of his wealth. However, when Mr. Crawford leaves Mansfield indefinitely to see to his estate and stay in London with his uncle, Maria marries Rushworth. When Mr. Crawford finally returns, he decides to amuse himself by courting Fanny, showing her attention and kindness, in order to make her fall in love with him. Gradually, her goodness grows on him and he finds himself falling in love with her in earnest. Fanny, in love with Edmund and with a bad opinion of Mr. Crawford's character, does not appreciate his attentions. Sir Thomas begins to realize that Mr. Crawford is in love with Fanny, and approves—it would make a very good match for a penniless girl such as Fanny. Mr. Crawford dances with Fanny at a ball, and later tries to gain her favour by facilitating the promotion of her favorite brother, William, to lieutenant in the Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
. But when he proposes to Fanny, she rejects him due to her love for Edmund, his scandalous flirting with Maria and Julia, and because his behavior has made her believe he has no principles. The refusal angers Sir Thomas, who demands an explanation. Fanny cannot tell anyone of her secret love of Edmund, nor reveal to Sir Thomas Crawford's scandalous behavior towards Julia and Maria. Therefore Sir Thomas believes her to be simply selfish and willful. He remonstrates with Fanny quite severely for her ingratitude for what he has done for her. Fanny is emotionally overcome by this, but still refuses Crawford, as he continues to court her.
A scandalous affair
Fanny is sent by Sir Thomas back to her family in Portsmouth, so that she can better understand the benefits of what seems to him to be an ideal match with a wealthy suitor. Crawford visits Fanny in Portsmouth and she finds that his love for her is apparently constant and he does not disparage her poor family. She begins to think upon him more favorably, believing he has genuinely changed. Crawford then goes to London, where Maria is staying with her husband. At the same time, it seems that Edmund is moving towards marriage with Mary Crawford, despite her denigration of his desired profession of clergyman. It appears Mary truly loves Edmund. And Edmund told Fanny, "She is the only woman in the world whom I can think of as my wife." As the story begins to seem like it will resolve with Edmund marrying Mary and Fanny marrying Crawford, the story abruptly changes as Crawford, caught in a compromising position with Maria, elopes with her. Newspapers inform the general public of the scandal. Edmund, heartbroken, visits Mary Crawford in London. He is horrified to see that she does not regard the scandal as too terrible. Her character's lack of morals is exposed at last, and he realizes he can never marry her. Edmund and Fanny return to Mansfield Park; Edmund finally realises that he does love Fanny and is delighted to find that she has always loved him and they are married.Portrayals
- Katie Durham Matthews as the young Fanny, and Sylvestra Le TouzelSylvestra Le TouzelSylvestra Le Touzel is a British television, film and stage actor who was born on Jersey in the Channel Islands and raised in Kensington, London. She was schooled in East Acton.-TV:...
as the grown Fanny in the 1983 British television serialMansfield Park (1983 TV serial)Mansfield Park is a 1983 British television drama serial, made by the BBC, and adapted from Jane Austen's novel of the same name, originally published in 1814. The serial was the first screen adaptation of the novel...
. - Hannah Taylor Gordon as the young Fanny, Amelia WarnerAmelia WarnerAmelia Warner is an English actress and songwriter. As of October 2011, Warner is a signed musician to Island Records and works under the name, 'Slow Moving Millie'.-Early life:...
as the teenage Fanny, and Frances O'ConnorFrances O'Connor-Background:O'Connor was born in Wantage, Oxfordshire, England to a pianist mother and nuclear physicist father. When O'Connor was two, her family moved back to Perth, Western Australia. O'Connor was raised a Roman Catholic and attended the Mercedes College in Perth...
as the grown Fanny in the 1999 film adaptationMansfield Park (film)Mansfield Park is a 1999 British romantic comedy-drama film loosely based on Jane Austen's novel of the same name, written and directed by Patricia Rozema. The film differs sharply from the original novel in many respects. For example, the life of Jane Austen is incorporated into the film and the...
. - Julia JoyceJulia JoyceJulia Joyce is an actress who was born on 14 June 1998, known for her three appearances as a younger version of Billie Piper in Doctor Who , Ruby in the Smoke and Mansfield Park. She is also the younger sister of the actress and model Lucy Joyce.-Filmography:-References:...
as the younger Fanny, and Billie PiperBillie PiperBillie Paul Piper is an English singer and actress.She began her career in the late 1990s as a pop singer and then switched to acting. She started in acting and dancing and was talent spotted at the Sylvia Young stage school by Smash Hits magazine who wanted a "face" for their magazine...
as the grown Fanny in the BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
television serialMansfield Park (2007 TV drama)Mansfield Park, an adaptation of the classic Jane Austen novel of the same name, premiered on 18 March 2007 on the UK network ITV at 9 p.m., as part of their Jane Austen Season. It was filmed at Newby Hall, North Yorkshire, England. It made its TV debut in Canada on 23 December 2007 and in the...
in 2007.