Mansfield Park · Chapter
Chapter XXXVI explained
Fanny endures a painful farewell with Mary Crawford, who extracts a promise of correspondence, and a subdued parting from Henry Crawford.
What happens
Fanny endures a painful farewell with Mary Crawford, who extracts a promise of correspondence, and a subdued parting from Henry Crawford. Later, Mary visits Mansfield Park and corners Fanny in the East Room, reminiscing about their theatrical rehearsal and pressing her about Henry's affections. Edmund reports to Sir Thomas that Fanny needs time to accept Crawford, and Sir Thomas reluctantly agrees to wait.
Themes in this chapter
Marriage and Morality
Mary Crawford discusses the unhappy marriages of the Frasers and Flora Ross, contrasting them with the ideal of Mansfield Parsonage and Sir Thomas as a husband, highlighting the precariousness of matrimonial choice.
Appearance vs. Reality
Mary's affectionate demeanor masks her manipulative intent to secure Fanny for Henry; Fanny's secret resistance contrasts with her outward compliance.
Duty and Self-Restraint
Fanny feels compelled to agree to correspond with Mary despite her own judgment, and submits to a private interview out of habit and obligation.
Characters to notice
- Fanny Price
Struggles with gratitude toward Henry Crawford for William's commission, endures Mary's emotional farewell and later a tense private conversation in the East Room.
- Mary Crawford
Bids Fanny an affectionate goodbye, extracts a promise of correspondence, and later visits Mansfield Park to confront Fanny alone, reminiscing about the theatrical rehearsal.
- Henry Crawford
Appears subdued and oppressed at parting, takes Fanny's hand in silence, showing genuine emotion.
- Edmund Bertram
Reports to Sir Thomas that Fanny needs time to accept Crawford's addresses, recommending patience and no further pressure.
- Sir Thomas Bertram
Reluctantly agrees to Edmund's advice to wait, though he fears Crawford's interest may wane before Fanny's feelings develop.
Key passages
“I cannot imagine Henry ever to have been happier... than when he had succeeded in getting your brother's commission.”
Mary suggests Henry was never happier than when he secured William's naval commission.
Mary uses William's commission to manipulate Fanny's gratitude and soften her resistance to Henry.
“I shall be at Mansfield forever, Fanny. My own sister as a wife, Sir Thomas Bertram as a husband, are my standards of perfection.”
Mary declares that Lady Bertram and Sir Thomas represent her ideal of married life.
Mary contrasts the Bertrams' marriage with the unhappy Frasers, reinforcing her theme of matrimonial standards.
“She must be used to the consideration of his being in love with her, and then a return of affection might not be very distant.”
Edmund believes Fanny needs time to become accustomed to the idea of Henry's love before she can reciprocate.
Edmund advises patience, hoping familiarity will lead to affection.