Opinions of Mansfield Park
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 18 December 2020
Summary
“We certainly do not think it as a whole, equal to P.&P.—but it has many & great beauties. Fanny is a delightful Character! and Aunt Norris is a great favourite of mine. The Characters are natural & well supported, & many of the Dialogues excellent.—You need not fear the publication being considered as discreditable to the talents of it's Author.” F.W. A.
Not so clever as P. & P. — but pleased with it altogether. Liked the character of Fanny. Admired the Portsmouth Scene.—Mr. K. —
Edward & George.—Not liked it near so well as P. & P.—Edward admired Fanny—George disliked her.—George interested by nobody but Mary Crawford.—Edward pleased with Henry C.—Edmund objected to, as cold & formal.— Henry C.'s going off with Mrs. R—at such a time, when so much in love with Fanny, thought unnatural by Edward.—
Fanny Knight.—Liked it, in many parts, very much indeed, delighted with Fanny;—but not satisfied with the end—wanting more Love between her & Edmund—and could not think it natural that Edmd. shd. be somuch attached to a woman without Principle like Mary C.—or promote Fanny's marrying Henry.—
Anna liked it better than P.& P.—but not so well as S. & S.—could not bear Fanny.—Delighted with Mrs. Norris, the scene at Portsmouth, & all the humourous parts.—
Mrs. James Austen, very much pleased. Enjoyed Mrs. Norris particularly, & the scene at Portsmouth. Thought Henry Crawford's going off with Mrs. Rushworth, very natural.—
Miss Clewes's objections much the same as Fanny’s.—
Miss Lloyd preferred it altogether to either of the others.—Delighted with Fanny.—Hated Mrs. Norris.—
My Mother—not liked it so well as P. & P.—Thought Fanny insipid.—Enjoyed Mrs. Norris.—
Cassandra—thought it quite as clever, tho’ not so brilliant as P. & P.—Fond of Fanny.—Delighted much in Mr. Rushworth's stupidity.—
My Eldest Brother—a warm admirer of it in general.— Delighted with the Portsmouth Scene.
Edward—Much like his Father.—Objected to Mrs. Rushworth's Elopement as unnatural.
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- Later Manuscripts , pp. 230 - 234Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2008
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