# Chapter XI explained — Mansfield Park > Chapter companion for Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. ## What happens The Miss Bertrams receive letters from Sir Thomas announcing his return in November, which brings unwelcome thoughts of their father and, for Maria, the impending marriage to Mr. Rushworth. Mary Crawford and Edmund discuss the return and Edmund's taking orders, with Fanny defending the clergy. Later, Fanny and Edmund share a moment of stargazing, but Edmund is drawn back to the glee singers, leaving Fanny alone. ## Themes in this chapter ### Duty and Self-Restraint Sir Thomas's return imposes duty on his daughters, while Edmund discusses the conscientiousness of taking orders. ### Education and Character Fanny credits Edmund for teaching her to appreciate nature, and the conversation about Dr. Grant links his profession to moral improvement. ### Appearance vs. Reality Mary Crawford's pleasant manners mask her critical views, and Maria's outward compliance hides her inner dread. ## Character check-ins ### Fanny Price Defends the clergy against Mary Crawford's criticisms and shares a quiet moment of stargazing with Edmund, only to be left alone when he joins the glee. ### Edmund Bertram Discusses his taking orders with Mary Crawford, defends his bias, and later abandons Fanny to join the glee singers. ### Mary Crawford Teases Edmund about his father's return and his taking orders, and criticizes Dr. Grant's temper before joining the glee. ### Maria Bertram Dreads her father's return and the marriage to Mr. Rushworth, hoping for delays. ### Julia Bertram Shares her sister's feelings about Sir Thomas's return, though less directly affected. ### Henry Crawford Present at the pianoforte with the Miss Bertrams and Mr. Rushworth during the evening. ## Key lines > It was much pleasanter to think of Henry Crawford than of their father; and to think of their father in England again within a certain period, which these letters obliged them to do, was a most unwelcome exercise. The Miss Bertrams preferred daydreaming about Henry Crawford to contemplating their father's return, which the letters forced upon them. _Highlights the daughters' reluctance to face Sir Thomas's return and their preference for romantic distraction._ > I think the man who could often quarrel with Fanny, said Edmund affectionately, must be beyond the reach of any sermons. Edmund warmly suggests that anyone who would frequently argue with Fanny would be incorrigible, even by preaching. _Shows Edmund's deep affection and respect for Fanny's gentle nature._ > Here's harmony! said she; here's repose! Here's what may leave all painting and all music behind, and what poetry only can attempt to describe! Fanny exclaims that the tranquil night scene surpasses art and music, and can only be captured by poetry. _Reflects Fanny's deep appreciation for nature and her romantic sensibility._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xi - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mansfield_park_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters