Mansfield Park (1814) is Jane Austen's third published novel. Fanny Price, a poor relation brought up by her rich uncle Sir Thomas Bertram, quietly resists the charms of the worldly Crawford siblings and finally marries her cousin Edmund.
The story
Taken from her poor family in Portsmouth at ten, Fanny grows up at Mansfield Park, slighted by her aunt Norris and cousins but befriended by Edmund. While Sir Thomas is in Antigua, the young people rehearse a daring play, Lovers' Vows.
Henry Crawford courts Fanny, who refuses him, while Edmund is charmed by Henry's sister Mary. Scandal finally exposes the Crawfords, and Edmund turns to Fanny.
A quiet heroine
Fanny, timid and principled, is Austen's most debated heroine. Some readers find her too passive, others admire her moral firmness.
The novel contrasts the stable values of the country house with the charm and inconstancy of fashionable London.
Slavery
Sir Thomas's wealth comes from his plantations in Antigua, and Fanny's question about the slave trade is met with silence, a scene modern critics have much discussed.
The novel's title may echo Lord Mansfield, whose 1772 judgment was seen as a step against slavery in England.
Anecdotes
Austen's own survey
Austen collected the opinions of friends and family on Mansfield Park and wrote them down; her mother found Fanny insipid.
A sold-out edition
The first edition sold out in six months, earning Austen more than any of her other novels during her lifetime.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Fanny Price?
A poor relation brought up at Mansfield Park, the novel's heroine.
What is Lovers' Vows?
The scandalous play the young people rehearse while Sir Thomas is away.
Where does Sir Thomas have his plantations?
In Antigua, in the West Indies.