Jane Austen's "Mansfield Park"

Paper Summary:

The paper examines Jane Austen's novel "Mansfield Park" and highlights the debate whether one should marry for affection or economic advantage. The paper identifies Austen's belief that one should marry where there is affection and fortune. The paper then discusses the subsequent fate of Mary, Maria and Fanny at the close of the story, where Austen indicates that although everyone seeks an ideal marriage, they are forced to take what circumstances offer them.

From the Paper:

"Mary Crawford embraces marriage as a business transaction in which finances and family connections are of the utmost importance. She repeatedly states her faith in and desire for wealth. "I mean to be too rich to lament or to feel any thing of the sort. A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of" (177). Edmund can't help feeling distress at such declarations from the woman he desires to marry. When he tries to impress her with the value of a modest income, Mary's retort is a clear challenge. "Be honest and poor by all means - but I shall not envy you; I do not much think I shall even respect you. I have a much greater respect for those that are honest and rich" (178). Mary makes it clear throughout the novel that although she desires Edmund, he must choose a more impressive profession and offer her a larger income if he expects her to marry him. Despite the attraction Mary feels towards Edmund, she cannot accept his social status. Fanny later observes that Mary "had only learnt to think of nothing of consequence but money" (360)."

More papers on Jane Austen's "Mansfield Park":

• Analytical Essay # 22059 : "Austen: "Mansfield Park"
• Book Review # 120226 : "Marriage and Jane Austen"
• Analytical Essay # 65284 : "Jane Austen as a Conservative Writer"

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