Mansfield Park Read-along, the sixth

Henry Crawford in Mansfield Park, Miramax Films 1999

We are over 3/4th of the way through our read-along of Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. I'm actually not sure if anyone has joined me on this reading adventure but I am sure enjoying it, whether you are with me or not. Plus, I hope that you are enjoying my weekly updates.

50+ page goal met. Yes, I read over 50 pages this week. (Hope I am not leaving anyone in the dust! Ha!). I am up to XXXVIII. (I just love Roman numerals.)

Action: Henry Crawford asks Fanny to marry him and she refuses. Sir Thomas Bertram, her uncle, tries to talk her into marrying Henry. She still refuses. Edmond tries to convince her, though he tells her she shouldn't marry if she doesn't love Henry. Mary Crawford tries to convince Fanny to change her mind by telling Fanny what a catch Henry is and how many other women are chasing him. Edmond confesses to Fanny how much he loves Mary Crawford and implies that he will seek her hand. Fanny is miserable. When William once again comes for a visit, Sir Bertram decides that Fanny should visit her parents in Portsmouth, since she has an escort home in William, thinking that a few months of living with their poverty might help her change her mind about marrying Henry.

Surprises: I was surprised that Sir Bertram seemed more perplexed than angry about Fanny's refusal to marry Henry. Both Mansfield Park movies show him very angry with Fanny. In the 1999 version, it is this anger that causes him to send Fanny home to her parents making her even more wretched. I was also shocked by Mary's entreaty of Fanny to reconsider. It really was delivered in a gentler and kinder way than I would have expected. I am not surprised by how much I enjoy reading Austen, even this not-so-well-known book.

Quote: Fanny to Mary, about Henry:

I am persuaded that he does not think as he ought on serious subjects.