Mansfield Park Read-Along: The End

Hello!

I have finally arrived to say my thoughts for the final part of Amber's Mansfield Park Read-Along! It definitely was an interesting read, and it is always fun to read Jane Austen, because she is hilarious!

Make sure to read Amber's thoughts for this week.

Spoiler alert! If you haven't read Jane Austen's Mansfield Park, please do not read this as I will be talking about the ending of the book.

Mansfield Park Volume III: Chapters 6-17

Discussion Format: your favorite quotes, general impressions, and three questions to answer for each week's reading

Favorite Quotes:

'The novelty of travelling, and the happiness of being with William, soon produced their natural effect on Fanny's spirits...'

'It was really March; but it was April in its mild air, brisk soft wind, and bright sun, occasionally clouded for a minute; and everything looked so beautiful under the influence of such a sky...'

'What animation both of body and mind, she had derived from watching the advance of that season which cannot, in spite of its capriciousness, be unlovely, and seeing its increasing beauties, from the earliest flowers, in the warmest division of her aunt's garden, to the opening of leaves of her uncle's plantations, and the glory of his woods...'

General Impressions:

"Tell me the real truth, as you have it from the fountain-head."

Fanny and I differ on one point, and one alone: She is more of a poetry fan than I am. And, she is a little nicer than me. 'She was always so gentle and retiring, that her emotions were beyond his discrimination.'

I was a little disappointed in her family. They don't really care for her as much as Sir Thomas and Lady Bertram do. At first I wasn't convinced that taking her from her family was for the best, but now I am sure. 'But he was the master at Mansfield Park. When he had really resolved on any measure, he could always carry it through...'

Edmund finally came around. Thank you, very much, Edmund. Everything you need is right in front of you.

I do feel that I am also like Susan, as she is just trying to get things done. I really like this paragraph about her: 'She acknowledged her fears, blamed herself for having contended so warmly, and from that hour Fanny, understanding the worth of her disposition, and perceiving how fully she was inclined to seek her good opinion and refer to her judgment, began to feel again the blessing of affection...'

William is just a sweetheart, and I hope that he ended up happy.

I pity Julia, and I find Maria unbearable. I also pity Mr. Rushworth.

This might be the most accurate sentence of the whole book: 'In their very last conversation, Miss Crawford, in spite of some amiable sensations, and much personal kindness, has still been Miss Crawford, still shown a mind led astray and bewildered, and without any suspicion of being so; darkened, yet fancying itself light.'

And... Henry remains "messed up guy". He was getting better (though he couldn't get Susan's age straight), then he just went and blew it all. There was fault on either side, though. "What a difference a vowel makes!--if his rents were but equal to his rants!--"

But: 'Let other pens dwell on guilt and misery. I quit such odious subjects as soon as I can, impatient to restore everybody, not greatly in fault themselves, to tolerable comfort, and to have done with all the rest.'

'With such thoughts as these among ten hundred others, Fanny proceeded in her journey, safely and cheerfully, and as expeditiously as could rationally hoped in the dirty month of February.'

Discussion Questions:


1. Do you think Fanny's home and family had changed a lot since she left when she was a girl, or do you think Fanny was the one who changed the most?

I think both. Fanny showed that she was used to more grand things, but I also feel like her family had changed. I think Fanny was better off living at Mansfield, but things might have been better at home had she stayed.

2. Just for fun: What sort of conclusion would you give to Susan's story if you were to write a sequel/epilogue for her?

This is a hard question! I would have that she learned so much, and that she and Lady Bertram enjoyed each other's company. (I know, that is a very lame answer. Please write a better one.)

3. Which character's growth or consequences (as described in the last chapter) brought you the most satisfaction?

Mrs. Norris. She got a taste of her own medicine in the end. :)

Okay, okay, I like Tom's growth. I think one day he would make a very fine master of Mansfield.

Final Questions:

Of the Jane Austen books you've read so far, how would you rank them in order of preference?

1. Pride & Prejudice
2. Sense & Sensibility
3. Northanger Abbey
4. Emma
5. Sanditon and The Watsons
6. Mansfield Park.
These are not definite, as I change all the time.

If you've seen an adaptation of Mansfield Park, which one(s) did you see and how did you like it/them in comparison with the book?

I saw the 1999 version, but I definitely liked the book better.

Thanks for hosting this, Amber! I enjoyed it a lot! Have you read Mansfield Park? How long did it take you? Did you like it?

MovieCritic