Comments | episodical: Chapter 23

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Chapter 23

Aug 27, 2007 20:39

LibriVox audiorecording of Mansfield Park

“But why should Mrs. Grant ask Fanny?” said Lady Bertram. “How came she to think of asking Fanny? Fanny never dines there, you know, in this sort of way. I cannot spare her, and I am sure she does not want to go. Fanny, you do not want to go, do you?”

( “If you put such a question to her,” cried Edmund... )

Comments 8

sventhelost August 27 2007, 20:24:15 UTC

Man, the idea that getting a ride causes her to cry...wow. Sad. :\

This finally brings to light to at least one of them the fact that Edmund and Mary aren't really in the same relationship.

elliejgirl August 27 2007, 20:56:37 UTC

They kind of are in the same relationship. Each is wanting the other to change who they are so that they can be together, and are disappointed that it won't happen. Mary doesn't want Edmund to be a clergyman because it's not ... big enough for her, and Edmund wants Mary to tone down her expectations so that she'll be happy being the wife of a clergyman.

It makes me really sad to see Fanny cry about getting a ride. I would have loved to see Mrs. Norris' face though when Sir Thomas offered it to her. Heh.

kcobweb August 27 2007, 23:10:25 UTC

This just makes me wanna KICK Mrs. Norris! All that stuff about keeping Fanny's expectations low!

outofivanhoe August 28 2007, 12:00:50 UTC

she might not be able to appear properly submissive and indifferent

Fanny is so messed up. But given Mrs Norris's later comments, I suppose we can see where she gets it.

Fanny can walk sekl August 28 2007, 15:22:49 UTC

Without Fanny, what would Mrs. Norris' position really be? She's a poor relation, and without the Prices, the poorest. It's funny to see how even the slightest attention to Fanny inspires such bile.

Re: Fanny can walk elliejgirl August 28 2007, 15:32:41 UTC

That's a really good point that I'd never really thought of. Because of Fanny, Mrs. Norris isnt' the poor widow who lives in a nice house thanks to Sir Thomas (well she is, but Fanny is even more in his debt than she is).

I love how Mrs. Norris assumes that the only reason the carriage would be out in the first place is to take her home, and would not be sent to fetch Fanny if it rained. Did she want Fanny to spend the night at the Crawfords or walk home in the rain, do you think?

Re: Fanny can walk sekl August 28 2007, 15:56:06 UTC

Rain. To show the folly of ever giving Fanny a new dress of course. That woman...

Re: Fanny can walk elliejgirl August 28 2007, 17:22:49 UTC

It makes me long for a 'lost' chapter where Mrs. Norris gets stuck outside in the rain and falls into a giant mud puddle.

I'm finding that I'm even liking Mrs. Norris the cat in the Harry Potter books more now that I'm reading this book.