Chapter XXI explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Marriage and Morality

  Maria's marriage to Mr. Rushworth is portrayed as a transaction driven by her desire to escape home and wounded pride, devoid of affection, highlighting the moral emptiness of such unions.

• Home and Belonging

  Mansfield becomes a place of restraint and gloom for Fanny and the Bertrams after Sir Thomas's return, contrasting with Maria's escape and Fanny's quiet contentment in the family circle.

• Appearance vs. Reality

  The wedding appears proper and unobjectionable to the neighborhood, yet it masks Maria's misery and contempt for her husband, while Mrs. Norris's triumph ignores the true disposition of her niece.

Characters to notice

• Fanny Price

  Fanny wanders the house missing her cousins, feels the restraint of her father's presence, and expresses her love for quiet evenings and her uncle's stories. She is embarrassed by Edmund's compliment on her looks.

• Edmund Bertram

  Edmund discusses the changed atmosphere with Fanny, wishes his father valued the Grants' society more, and compliments Fanny on her improved appearance, causing her distress.

• Sir Thomas Bertram

  Sir Thomas's return brings gloom and restraint to Mansfield; he feels anxiety as a father at Maria's wedding and is disinclined to social engagements except with the Rushworths.

• Maria Bertram

  Maria marries Mr. Rushworth in a proper wedding, driven by hatred of home and a desire for independence, and departs for Brighton with Julia.

• Julia Bertram

  Julia accompanies Maria to Brighton as a companion, having recovered her good understanding with her sister after the end of their rivalry.

• Mrs. Norris

  Mrs. Norris spends the wedding day at the Park, drinking to the health of the couple and triumphantly claiming credit for making the match.

Key passages

• “Their departure made another material change at Mansfield, a chasm which required some time to fill up.”

  The sisters' leaving created a significant void at Mansfield that took a while to adjust to.

  Describes the emotional and social impact of Maria and Julia's departure on the household.

• “She must escape from him and Mansfield as soon as possible, and find consolation in fortune and consequence, bustle and the world, for a wounded spirit.”

  Maria felt she had to flee her father and Mansfield quickly, seeking comfort in wealth, status, and social activity to heal her broken heart.

  Reveals Maria's motivation for marrying Rushworth: not love, but a desperate need for independence and distraction.

• “The evenings do not appear long to me. I love to hear my uncle talk of the West Indies. I could listen to him for an hour together.”

  Fanny finds the evenings short because she enjoys listening to her uncle's stories about the West Indies.

  Shows Fanny's contentment with quiet family life and her interest in her uncle's experiences, contrasting with others' restlessness.