What Is Mansfield Park About?

Mansfield Park was written by Jane Austen between 1812 and 1814 at Chawton Cottage, where Austen spent the last few years of her life. It was published in 1814.

Mansfield Park tells the story of a young girl (Fanny Price) who is the second eldest of nine sisters and from a poor family. Fanny is sent to live with her aunt and uncle at Mansfield Park. Her four cousins also live there. Most of her cousins are unpleasant to her, with the exception of Edmund (the eldest son of Fanny’s aunt and uncle), who treats her kindly. Fanny begins to develop feelings for Edmund over time.

Each of the children get older and Edmund becomes involved with Mary Crawford, the sister of Henry Crawford, after they arrive in the village. Mary has strong views and opinions about certain things, which concerns Edmund, but he continues to see her. Fanny is concerned about Edmund and Mary’s relationship and is a bit of an outcast in the family.

It is decided that a play (Lovers’ Vows by Elizabeth Inchbald, who was an English author) should be held. Edmund and Mary are both offered parts, but things do not go to plan when Sir Thomas (Fanny’s uncle) arrives home during one of the rehearsals for the play. He does not approve of the play and this leads to Henry Crawford leaving, which upsets Maria (Sir Thomas’s eldest daughter), as she was attracted to him despite already being engaged to another man, Mr Rushworth. After Henry leaves, Maria marries Mr Rushworth.

Henry later returns and attempts to win Fanny’s affections, mainly for amusement. However, he ends up properly falling for her as he learns of her gentle personality. He proposes to her but she rejects him because of her feelings for Edmund and Henry’s previous involvement with Maria. The rejection of his proposal angers Sir Thomas, who believes that Fanny would benefit from marrying a wealthy man like Henry. Henry later tells Fanny that he has changed his ways, but she still refuses to marry him.

Fanny later learns that Henry and Maria have been having an affair, which results in them eloping. Fanny returns to Mansfield Park to look after Tom (the eldest son of Sir Thomas) who has fallen ill. Edmund is concerned about his future with Mary after all the problems between the two families. He voices his concerns to Mary, who shocks him by stating that she feels that the only thing Maria and Henry did wrong was to get found out. She also puts the blame onto Fanny, stating that the affair never would have taken place if Fanny had accepted Henry’s proposal. Once Edmund hears these opinions, he realises that his involvement with Mary was a mistake and returns to Mansfield Park. He later realises that he loves Fanny and they end up married.