Mansfield Park, Part 12 of 36

The Sleepy Bookshelf: Just Jane

This episode follows the escalating tensions surrounding a theatrical production at Mansfield Park. After Edmund reluctantly agrees to join

Key takeaways

• Edmund decides to take the role of Anhalt to prevent the potential scandal of hiring Charles Maddox.
• Maria Bertram and Mr. Bertram celebrate Edmund's change of heart as a victory for their project.

Main topics

• Theatrical rehearsals at Mansfield Park
• Social dynamics and class expectations

Notable quotes

Do, Fanny, if it is not very disagreeable to you.

Conclusion

The episode highlights how shared social endeavors can simultaneously

Transcript preview

Speaker 1 (0:01) Good evening, and welcome to the Sleepy Bookshelf, Just Jane, where we put down our worries from the day and pick up a good Jane Austen book. I'm Elizabeth, your host, and thank you for deciding to join us tonight as we continue with Mansfield Park. Before we recap our last episode, just take a second to have a deep breath in. Speaker 1 (0:35) and a long exhale to put the day behind you. Great. Now, the last time we were together, dinner was particularly awkward, as Edmund had come home, and his disapproval of the play was weighing on everyone. But it didn't take long for discussions to arise again in the drawing room. Speaker 1 (1:05) The troupe were missing an anhalt, and Edmund was the obvious choice to play him, but as he resolutely shunned the performance, they would have to look elsewhere. Speaker 1 (1:20) They were also pressurising Fanny to play the cottager's wife, which she repeatedly refused, but was sharply reminded by Mrs Norris that she did appear ungrateful and ought to be involved if asked. Mary Crawford was shocked by Mrs Norris' coercive behaviour and sought to comfort Fanny. Speaker 1 (1:49) This act of kindness and reassurance was what eventually swayed her to offer her support. As Edmund would not take the role of Anne Holt, the group decided to invite a neighbour, Charles Maddox, to join them. This horrified Edmund, and he eventually concluded that the only way to avoid the scandal reaching the wider community would be to take the role himself, and hopefully limit this preposterous scheme's impact. And that is where we pick up tonight. So, just lie back and relax, as I turn to the next pages of Mansfield Park. Speaker 1 (2:50) Chapter 17. It was, indeed, a triumphant day to Mr. Bertram and Maria. Such a victory over Edmund's discretion had been beyond their hopes, and was most delightful. Speaker 1 (3:10) There was no longer anything to disturb them in their darling project, and they congratulated each other in private on the jealous weakness to which they attributed the change, with all the glee of feelings gratified in every way. Edmund might still look grave and say he did not like the scheme in general and must disapprove the play in particular. Their point was gained. He was to act, and he was driven to it by the force of selfish inclinations only. Edmund had descended from that moral elevation which he had maintained before, and they were both as much the better as the happier for the descent. They behaved very well, however, to him on the occasion. betraying no exultation beyond the lines about the corners of the mouth, and seemed to think it as great an escape to be quit of the intrusion of Charles Maddox, as if they had been forced into admitting him against their inclination. To have it quite in their own family circle was what they had particularly wished. A stranger among them would have been the destruction of all their comfort. And when Edmund, pursuing that idea, gave a hint of his hope as to the limitation of the audience, they were ready in the complacence of the moment to promise anything. It was all good humour and encouragement. Speaker 1 (4:59) Mrs. Norris offered to contrive his dress. Mr. Yates assured him that Anne Holt's last scene with the Baron admitted a good deal of action and emphasis, and Mr. Rushworth undertook to count his speeches. Perhaps, said Tom, Fanny may be more disposed to oblige us now. Perhaps you may persuade her. No, she is quite determined. She certainly will not act. Speaker 1 (5:32) Oh, very well. And not another word was said, but Fanny felt herself again in danger, and her indifference to the danger was beginning to fail her already. There were not fewer smiles at the parsonage than at the park on this change in Edmund. Miss Crawford looked very lovely in hers, and entered with such an instantaneous renewal of cheerfulness into the whole affair, as could have but one effect on him. He was certainly right in respecting such feelings. He was glad he had determined on it. And the morning wore away in satisfactions very sweet, if not very sound. Speaker 1 (6:22) One advantage resulted from it to Fanny. At the earnest request of Miss Crawford, Miss Grant had, with her usual good humour, agreed to undertake the part for which Fanny had been wanted. And this was all that occurred to gladden her heart during the day. And even this, when imparted by Edmund, brought a pang with it, for it was Miss Crawford to whom she was obliged. It was Miss Crawford whose kind exertions were to excite her gratitude, and whose merit in making them was spoken of with a glow of admiration. She was safe, but peace and safety were unconnected here. Her mind had been never farther from peace. She could not feel that she had done wrong herself, but she was disquieted in every other way. Her heart and her judgment were equally against Edmund's decision. She could not acquit his unsteadiness, and his unhappiness under it made her wretched. She was full of jealousy and agitation. Speaker 1 (7:39) Miss Crawford came with looks of gaiety which seemed an insult, with friendly expressions towards herself which she could hardly answer calmly. Everybody around her was gay and busy, prosperous and important. Each had their object of interest, their part, their dress, their favourite scene, their friends and confederates. All were finding employment in consultations and comparisons or diversion in the playful conceits they suggested. She alone was sad and insignificant. She had no share in anything. She might go or stay. She might be in the midst of their noise or retreat from it to the solitude of the East Room without being seen or missed. Speaker 1 (8:40) She could almost think anything would have been preferable to this. Mrs. Grant was of consequence. Her good nature had honourable mention. Her taste and her time were considered. Her presence was wanted. She was sought for and attended and praised. And Fanny was at first in some danger of envying her, the character she had accepted. Speaker 1 (9:11) But reflection brought better feelings, and shewed her that Mrs. Grant was entitled to respect, which could never have belonged to her. And that, had she received even the greatest, she could never have been easy in joining a scheme which, considering only her uncle, she must condemn altogether. Speaker 1 (9:36) Fanny's heart was not absolutely the only saddened one amongst them, as she soon began to acknowledge to herself. Julia was a sufferer too, though not quite as blamelessly. Henry Crawford had trifled with her feelings, but she had very long allowed and even sought his attentions, with a jealousy of her sister so reasonable as ought to have been their cure. And now that the conviction of his preference for Maria had been forced on her, she submitted to it without any alarm for Maria's situation or any endeavour at rational tranquillity for herself. She either sat in gloomy silence, wrapped in such gravity as nothing could subdue, no curiosity touch, no wit amuse, or, allowing the attentions of Mr. Yates, was talking with forced gaiety to him alone and ridiculing the acting of the others. Speaker 1 (10:45) For a day or two after the affront was given, Henry Crawford had endeavoured to do it away by the usual attack of gallantry and compliment. but he had not cared enough about it to persevere against a few repulses. And becoming soon too busy with his play to have time for more than one flirtation, he grew indifferent to the quarrel, or rather thought it a lucky occurrence, as quietly putting an end to what might ere long have raised expectations in more than Mrs. Grant. She was not pleased to see Julia excluded from the play and sitting by disregarded, but as it was not