Chapter XXXII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Social Class and Money

  Sir Thomas emphasizes the eligibility of Henry Crawford's fortune and estate, contrasting Fanny's lowly origins with the opportunity for social advancement.

• Duty and Self-Restraint

  Fanny is accused of lacking duty and self-restraint by refusing a proposal without consulting her uncle, highlighting the tension between personal feelings and familial obligation.

• Marriage and Morality

  The chapter explores marriage as a moral and social contract, with Fanny's refusal based on her conviction that she cannot make Crawford happy and would be miserable herself.

Characters to notice

• Fanny Price

  Fanny is distressed and tearful as she refuses Henry Crawford's proposal, feeling misunderstood and accused of selfishness by her uncle.

• Sir Thomas Bertram

  Sir Thomas is initially pleased with Crawford's proposal but becomes angry and disappointed when Fanny refuses, accusing her of ingratitude and wilfulness.

• Henry Crawford

  Henry Crawford has proposed to Fanny and is waiting to see her, but she refuses to meet him, and he eventually leaves after Sir Thomas conveys her refusal.

• Edmund Bertram

  Edmund is absent but is Fanny's only friend who might have softened his father's anger.

Key passages

• “You have an understanding which will prevent you from receiving things only in part, and judging partially by the event. You will take in the whole of the past, you will consider times, persons, and probabilities, and you will feel that they were not least your friends who were educating and preparing you for that mediocrity of condition which seemed to be your lot.”

  Sir Thomas tells Fanny that her intelligence will help her see that those who prepared her for a modest life were actually her friends.

  Sir Thomas tries to justify the Bertrams' past treatment of Fanny as educational rather than neglectful.

• “I told him without disguise that it was very disagreeable to me, and quite out of my power to return his good opinion.”

  Fanny insists she clearly told Crawford she could not reciprocate his feelings.

  Fanny defends herself against her uncle's claim that she encouraged Crawford.

• “You have shown yourself very, very different from anything that I had imagined. The advantage or disadvantage of your family, of your parents, your brothers and sisters, never seems to have had a moment’s share in your thoughts on this occasion.”

  Sir Thomas accuses Fanny of being selfish and not considering how her marriage could benefit her poor family.

  Sir Thomas uses Fanny's family's poverty as a reason she should accept Crawford's proposal.