Mansfield Park Read-Along: Part 3

Hello!
I can't believe that I am so late, I am so sorry that this happened, I have been really bad about being on schedule this year. I am here to put my thoughts down for Amber's Mansfield Park Read-Along!

Click HERE to read Amber's thoughts for this week.

SPOILER ALERT! If you have not read Mansfield Park, please do not read this.

Mansfield Park Volume II: Chapters 7-13 and
Volume III: Chapters 1-5

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

Favorite Quotes:

'Fanny had never known so much felicity in her life, as in this unchecked, equal, fearless intercourse with the brother and friend, who was opening all his heart to her, telling her all his hopes and fears, plans, and solicitudes...'

'An affection so amiable was advancing each in the opinion of all who had hearts to value anything good.'

'...and was actually practising her steps about the drawing-room as long as she could be safe from the notice of her aunt Norris, who was entirely taken up at first in fresh arranging and injuring the noble fire which the butler had prepared.'

General Impressions:

Fanny is such a sweet heart. I am enjoying reading about her. I found a funny thing:"Her eyes should be darker, but she has a sweet smile...", Jane Austen was very picky about her characters eyes. I wonder if Fanny's are "...brightened by the exercise."

And... her brother, William Price, is no different! I would love to get to know him.

I'm still unsure of what I think of Lady Bertram. She is sort of nice to Fanny, but sometimes she doesn't appreciate Fanny. "I feel quite stupid. It must be sitting up so late last night. Fanny, you must do something to keep me awake, I cannot work. Fetch the cards--I feel so very stupid." I feel like this all the time.

This is the perfect description of Mrs. Norris: 'Sir Thomas, indeed, was, by this time, not very far from classing Mrs. Norris as one of those well-meaning people, who are always doing mistaken and very disagreeable things.'

I am so glad that Edmund went through with being ordained. I was worried that he wasn't, but I am glad that he was consistent. But, right now I have no clue what is going through his mind.

Sigh. I guess I must put my thoughts down for who my sister and I call "messed up guy." At the beginning of this section I actually did agree with Mary for once: "The truth is, that she was the only girl in company for to notice, and you must have a somebody." I told my sister when we were discussing "messed up guy", that his is pretty much him exactly:

Isn't it though? I think his "love" for Fanny is still a challenge to get the only girl who doesn't like him, to fall in love with him. But, maybe he is nicer/better when he loves Fanny? Messed up guy is making me messed up.

Discussion Questions:

1. Which character do you feel most strongly about at this point—in either a good or disapproving way? What makes that character especially stand out to you?

I've already said that I really like Fanny, so I'll go with someone else.

I really like Sir Thomas. Though he was a little harsh on Fanny (But, 'As a general reflection on Fanny, Sir Thomas though nothing could be more unjust, though he had been so lately expressing the same sentiments himself, and he tried to turn the conversation...'), just because he doesn't know her side of the story, I like how he stands by his word, and cares for his family. He is probably my second favorite character in this book. "Could we be all assembled, our satisfaction would undoubtedly be more complete, but the absence of some is not to debar the others of amusement."

I also feel strongly about Mary Crawford, why won't she just go away!? I am so tired of her.

2. If you were in attendance at the ball, how would you occupy your time? Would you dance the night away, or would you prefer observation and conversation?

I love to country dance, so I would definitely be a dancer.

3. What advice would you give Fanny in handling Mr. Crawford's pursuit?

Fanny, I agree with you completely. Just keep at it, and give him hard looks. "...Fanny, I know he will make you happy; but you will make him everything." Fanny, don't accept, but make him better.


Sorry is some of my sentences don't make any sense. I am really tired. Thank you to Amber for hosting this! Thank you for reading!

MovieCritic