The LRB Podcast
Close Readings: ‘Mansfield Park’ by Jane Austen
Jan 29, 2025
Colin Burrow, an academic specializing in 19th-century British literature, dives deep into Jane Austen's 'Mansfield Park.' He highlights Fanny Price's challenges as a poor relation, revealing the novel's sharp critique of wealth and morality. Discussion centers on the theme of 'improvement' symbolized by Mr. Rushworth's estate and contrasts Fanny's moral fortitude with her relatives' ignorance of slavery's implications. The conversation unpacks the transactional nature of marriage and how social status complicates personal ambitions in Austen's world.
32:41
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Quick takeaways
- Fanny Price's moral cautiousness serves as a strategic response to the societal and financial risks associated with marriage in 19th-century England.
- The podcast highlights the contrasting behaviors of Fanny and her relatives, illustrating how wealth influences morality and societal dynamics in 'Mansfield Park'.
Deep dives
Exploring Mansfield Park
The podcast delves into Jane Austen's 'Mansfield Park', focusing on the story's protagonist, Fanny Price, who is portrayed as the archetypal poor relation living with her wealthy relatives. Fanny's interactions reveal societal nuances, as her richer cousins engage in play and flirtation while she remains observant and reserved in the background. The discussion highlights the contrasting dynamics between wealth and morality, noting how Fanny's gentle nature reflects her struggle against her relatives' more extravagant behaviors. The episode discusses crucial moments, such as Fanny's growing affections for her cousin Edmund, illustrating her position within the family's complex social structure.
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