XLII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Social Class and Money

  The contrast between Fanny's life at Mansfield and her privations in Portsmouth highlights the impact of social class and financial circumstances on health and comfort.

• Home and Belonging

  Fanny feels out of place in Portsmouth and longs for Mansfield, where she felt more at home and cared for.

• Appearance vs. Reality

  Mr. Crawford appears kind and concerned for Fanny's health, but Fanny is uncertain whether his motives are genuine or self-serving.

Characters to notice

• Fanny Price

  Fanny is the central figure, feeling uncomfortable with Mr. Crawford's attentions but also enjoying the day. She is low-spirited after his departure and reflects on her poor health and the contrast between her life at Mansfield and Portsmouth.

• Henry Crawford

  Mr. Crawford joins the Prices for church and the walk, showing concern for Fanny's health and offering to bring her back to Mansfield. He also discusses his estate matters and expresses admiration for Fanny.

• Mrs. Price

  Fanny's mother appears more respectable on Sunday, but still shows signs of her worn and shabby appearance. She takes her weekly walk on the ramparts.

• Susan Price

  Susan is present during the walk and is addressed by Mr. Crawford regarding Fanny's health.

• Edmund Bertram

  Edmund is mentioned by Fanny when she asks Mr. Crawford to convey a message to him, indicating she expects to hear from him soon.

• Mary Crawford

  Mary is mentioned as the recipient of Fanny's love and as someone who would help bring Fanny back to Mansfield if needed.

Key passages

• “It often grieved her to the heart to think of the contrast between them; to think that where nature had made so little difference, circumstances should have made so much, and that her mother, as handsome as Lady Bertram, and some years her junior, should have an appearance so much more worn and faded, so comfortless, so slatternly, so shabby.”

  Fanny was deeply saddened by the difference between her mother and Lady Bertram, noting that despite similar natural beauty, their circumstances had created a vast gap in appearance and comfort.

  This reflects Fanny's sensitivity to social class and the effects of poverty on her mother's appearance.

• “She was so little equal to Rebecca’s puddings and Rebecca’s hashes, brought to table, as they all were, with such accompaniments of half-cleaned plates, and not half-cleaned knives and forks, that she was very often constrained to defer her heartiest meal till she could send her brothers in the evening for biscuits and buns.”

  Fanny found the poor quality of food and unclean utensils at home so unappetizing that she often skipped meals and later sent her brothers to buy biscuits and buns.

  This illustrates the privations Fanny endures in Portsmouth compared to the comfort of Mansfield.

• “Though Sir Thomas, had he known all, might have thought his niece in the most promising way of being starved, both mind and body, into a much juster value for Mr. Crawford’s good company and good fortune, he would probably have feared to push his experiment farther, lest she might die under the cure.”

  Sir Thomas might have seen Fanny's hardships as a way to make her appreciate Mr. Crawford more, but he would have been afraid to continue the experiment if he knew how severe they were.

  This highlights the theme of manipulation and the potential consequences of Sir Thomas's plan.