What Is Jane Austen's "Mansfield Park"� About?

Mansfield Park, the handsome and prosperous home of the Bertram family, is the setting for the Cinderella story of Fanny Price. Fanny is a poor relation, brought up with her Bertram cousins out of charity, and acting as a companion and unpaid servant to her demanding aunts. When Fanny grows up she secretly loves her cousin Edmund, but has to watch as he courts the beautiful but corrupt Mary Crawford, who has come with her brother Henry to stay in the neighbourhood. She mistrusts both Crawfords, particularly Henry who seems to be starting an affair with her engaged (and presently married) cousin Maria. But Fanny's relatives are less perceptive than she, and even try to pressure her into accepting an offer of marriage from Henry.

In desperation she returns to her parents in Portsmouth, but the comparative squalor of their home is unbearable after the elegance of Mansfield. She feels trapped, and is only saved by the shocking news that Henry, tired of waiting for her, has run away with her cousin Maria. In the resulting scandal, Mary also shows herself in her true colours, Edmund turns to Fanny and they are united.