Book Review: Mansfield Park by, Jane Austen

In today's video I'll be reviewing Mansfield Park by, Jane Austen.
Mansfield Park Written Review:
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IG: alana_estelle
Blog: www.alanaestelle.com

[@mrs.manrique7411]

“Virtue signaling” - that is a good summary of many of the characters in this book. Even Fanny, though more concerned about *actually* being good, still cares a lot about how others perceive her and wants to be loved and seen for who she truly is. One of my favorite situational comedies is when everyone is thinking she’s refused Mr. Crawford because she’s “never thought of love before” and she’s “so innocent.” The whole while she’s been simping after someone else. 😂😂 I think of her as a more lovable pick me girl… 😅 She also dances till THREE in the morning, and threatens to gulp a whole cordial of wine when she finds out that Edmund is safe. 🍷👀 Mary Crawford gave a key to everything that describes Fanny best: “I am never tired except when I must do what I do not wish to do.”

[@mrs.manrique7411]

This is such a great novel. It also happens to be my favorite. In some in-depth analysis I’ve recently done, I’ve noticed that Jane Austen’s “joking” response to the book being all about “ordination” was actually true. A pastor is considered a “herald of the gospel” and a famous Roman deity that represented heralds was Mercury. As the god of animal husbandry (the mating of animals) we can see an intro and a story all about marriages, bad or good. In the abolishment of the slave trade (and only the trade), “husbandry” was now considered of utmost importance in keeping plantations (like the one in Antigua) running with a fresh supply of slave children, with the pairing of slaves. As the god of “luck” Tom Bertram believes he’ll be lucky one day in his gambling, and luckily his losing Edmund’s fortune makes his younger brother unappetizing to Mary Crawford. As a god of travel and the metal mercury (quicksilver), these characters are always traveling and coming together or splitting apart in random ways. As a god of messages, orators, the arts, we see Edmund becoming an orator (a preacher) and Crawford perfectly orating Shakespeare. Mary Crawford plays the harp and Fanny is disdained for not playing any instrument. Mercury is also a guide to the afterlife, something a pastor most certainly embodies for many. As a god of quickness (quicksilver/messenger) everyone is moving fast in this novel. If they are slow, it is only to contrast everyone else’s speed and inability to stay constant. The first time Lady Bertram moves quickly is when Fanny returns to Mansfield in gratitude for her presence. As a god of thieves, Mercury appears mostly through Mrs. Norris, who loves to pilfer the riches of Mansfield and Sotherton for herself. There is even that oh so important silver knife that is fought over. The necklaces. The white dress. Anything that gives that grey-white metallic color fits in this category of Mercury.

[@alanaestelle2076]

This is so insightful! Hahaha Jane Austen really is such a masterful author and at the surface she seems simple, but she’s really quite detailed and deep. She’s like fine wine - the more I read her novels and reread, the better she gets.

[@mrs.manrique7411]

@@alanaestelle2076 Only Fanny Price could be more grateful; thank you. 😊

[@riaone100]

Jane Austin's characters constantly make you re-evaluate the reasons, motive, intent and desires behind why a thing is done (i.e. Is it for show? Does the person not know any better? Are they simply arrogant or ignorant.) This is all couched between witty banter and dry humour. Let's just say I love her body of work to much to do it the injustice of having a favourite. They each stand on the own merit. Fanny''s character is misunderstood because people wish her to act like she has the options that are available to us today. This is not that story. How then do you straddle that divide? Her character is an object lesson in answer to that question. Side note: Introvert does not mean you lack a will or don't have an opinion. It simply means that you are more circumspect than others as to whom and when you share said thoughts, because why waste all that time and energy.

[@alanaestelle2076]

Yes! And that’s what I enjoy about Austen as well - the more you read her the more questions arise. Love your thoughts on Fanny! And so true!

[@KellyannMitchell]

I shared this video with my sister in Trinidad as what you spoke about in the first half of the video we constantly discuss. Girl, I can't stop rolling my eyes when I see, people virtue signalling and all the other performative acts of charity we constantly see on social media. If you want to do good, just do it, PERIOD. NO cameras or talking about it is needed ( okay, my rant finished 😉back to the review 😂) I want to read Austen’s novels in chronological order, so I just need to rearrange my planned TBR 🤭 I want to read the six of them consecutively, so I need to find the right time to do so. Great review as always love 💕

[@alanaestelle2076]

Hi sister in Trinidad! 😍LOOOO RIGHT?! Virtue signaling is so annoying 😩 Hahha I tried to read Austen in chronological order and failed 🤣 And thank you!!

[@marianneguevara8279]

I knew this was gonna be an amazing review and I was right! First of all at 9:45 "Just do the thing and be silent about it" THIS! Thank you for such a concise and detailed defense of Fanny Price; I also feel she really gets misunderstood. People do seem to forget that she is different from Jane Austen's other heroines. They expect her to be witty, assertive, and opinionated like a Lizzie, Emma, or Marianne but those girls were not only born into some affluence or rank but also grew up in somewhat supportive environments that would allow them to cultivate those aforementioned traits. Lizzie was her father's favorite, Emma was doted upon and allowed to do whatever she wanted, and Marianne had the love and care of her mother and sisters. When it comes to Fanny, when you grow up in an place where people didn't bother going out of their way to make you feel AT LEAST comfortable (aside from one person), its not hard to understand she grew up to be introverted and more at home with her own thoughts. Mansfield Park is actually my second favorite Austen after Persuasion. I have to admit I related a lot to Fanny. I'm also introverted and it bugged me whenever someone interpreted my shyness and reservation as "being a snob". Fantastic video Alana! I love it :)

[@alanaestelle2076]

Haha right! People performing for social media makes me so annoyed 🤣 YES EXACTLY! All of Austen’s character are products of their environments and Fanny is no exception. Modern readers make the mistake of projecting contemporary values on a time period and sense of social engagement that makes no sense for the regency era. SAME!!! I’ve been called a snob/stuck up as well because as an introvert, people are misreading you. It’s so annoying 🤣and thank you! ❤️

[@Lu.G.]

Love this! 👏🏻 I adore Fanny Price and now that I think of it, maybe it's because I relate to her more than any other Jane Austen character. I'm also an introvert and have a tendency to be shy but will stand up for myself or my beliefs when pushed. 😬 My favorite book by Austen changes, depending on my mood 😆 but I would say that Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park and Persuasion are my top 3; least favorite would be Northanger Abbey. 🤷🏼‍♀ Oh my gosh, I'm *so* with you...I detest small talk! Thanks for sharing. 📚

[@alanaestelle2076]

Yes! I’m an introvert too but definitely no push over 🙌🏼Persuasion is SO GOOD! I have a feeling that when I reread P&P it’ll end up on time 😅

[@kurtfox4944]

"the world inside your head is way more exciting and intelligent than small talk. I hate small talk. I hate it. I hate it. If it's a dumb conversation, I'll walk away. I feel my IQ dropping, I walk away... it's physically uncomfortable. People do this? This is horrible!" LOL. How awesome! 💯 You've been reading my mind again. I've never met anyone who has said it that bluntly. I love it!❤

[@alanaestelle2076]

LOL! 🤣 being blunt is my specialty 🤣

[@edsonemilio8841]

I was dying to watch this review! Best KZbin channel about books out there! ❤

[@alanaestelle2076]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@martasoltys9091]

I am so impressed with you. I can't stop watching your videos (I need to stop and actually do productive stuff (I work from home)). Anyway, you're so enlightened for your age; so PRESENT. I'm trying to be more present. I'll try to give this book another try; I do like Austen although I must say, there are other books on my TBR list. I was an immigrant (past tense just b/c I've been in Canada for a long time now, but it still true). I know exactly how people show they're nice, but actually they're cruel in ways that are beyond wicked.

[@alanaestelle2076]

Thank you! I’m an old soul haha. Ugh yes people can be so fake 😩

[@martasoltys9091]

@@alanaestelle2076 well, I experienced bullying to the worst degree. Even from a Catholic priest! Church is supposed to be a haven, but I guess many people have found it to be just another place of violence. That's actually what my novel is about: violence. Not autobiographical but I know a lot on the subject. Bullies are often controlling and ready to fix others but not look at their own ugliness. Anyway, really great reviews. I'll keep watching.

[@airliemariaheung8215]

Thanks for the accurate synopsis of Mansfield Park alongside commenting on how ironic Jane Austen is and relating it back to modern life social media. Also thanks for introducing Black Swan Eve Babitz and love your grandma coastal.

[@alanaestelle2076]

Thank you and you’re welcome! Haha coastal grandmas have style 🤣

[@Numlockrs]

I'm looking forward to your review of Notes from Underground. It's one of my favourites when it comes to Dostoevsky. I love these long format deep dive reviews as you call them. Highly underrated channel, you deserve more views.

[@alanaestelle2076]

Getting ready to start reading it now! And thank you so much!

[@jamesduggan7200]

That quote at about 8:20 sounds to me like it came straight from the opening pages of Jane Eyre. By the way, I like your pronunciation of 'performative altruism, though I'm not quite sure I understand what it means, at least in conformity with what it means to you. Back in the caveman days when I was first dipping my feet into philosophy and literary criticism we talked about actions: doing or not doing "Being and Nothingness" et cetera; action as performance does make good sense even if I need more time to flesh it out. Perhaps it falls within the classification of motive? Why do we act? We act to perform. What do we do when we perform? We mime what has come before. Well, I don't know, but I do very much enjoy the provocative nature of the new idea.

[@alanaestelle2076]

Yes! Seems right - we typically act to perform because why perform is there’s no audience 😅

[@novelideea]

Pharisees = Aunt Norris and Lord and Lady Bertram 😁 "...for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." 😉

[@alanaestelle2076]

LOOOOL YES 🤣

[@cs0p]

I loved the small talk rant hahaha --agreed

[@alanaestelle2076]

Small talk is the worst 🤣

[@sherrirabinowitz4618]

I love Jane Austen, my favorite is Persuasion (it used to be Pride and Prejudice, but I now relate with Anne more then Lizzy.) I like Fanny but I am afraid that it is not my favorite Austen, it is number 6, It is just not my favorite story line. My favorite Pride and Prejudice is the 1995 with Colin Firth, though I like 2005 with Matthew Macfadyen, I just loved how much of the book is the mini-series and it was the first one I ever saw so 1995 wins in my book😊

[@alanaestelle2076]

Persuasion is fantastic! Haha I hear that. The 2005 isn’t favorite adaption because I love the creative cinematography in it that says a lot on 2 hours. And the soundtrack 👌🏼

[@sherrirabinowitz4618]

@@alanaestelle2076 I understand, we all have different favorite adaptations.

[@outsellers]

Which character in Mansfield Park would you say is most like James Steerforth (Fast Forward in Demon Copperhead)?

[@alanaestelle2076]

Lol I’d have to think about this

[@wildforest8673]

Hi) Is this edition opens easily? I've heard that you can bearly open it properly, as it's hardly floppy. Thanks, people, for you advice

[@alanaestelle2076]

This edition is rather stiff, unfortunately.

[@wildforest8673]

@@alanaestelle2076 thank you!

[@nucreationsports]

😂😂😂 coastal grandma vibes

[@alanaestelle2076]

🤣 coastal grandmas know how to dress

[@kurtfox4944]

@@alanaestelle2076 you need a white brimmed hat with a giant yellow sunflower

[@cs0p]

Did you see demon won the pulitzer??

[@alanaestelle2076]

I did!! 🤩🤩🤩

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

💗💗

[@alanaestelle2076]

❤️❤️

[@user-wl8rr7wb4y]

Of all of Jane Austen's leading characters Emma Woodhouse is my absolute least favorite character of all. Emma Woodhouse comes across as someone I would have the misfortune of meeting in person. Emma Woodhouse would bring out my snark inside the space of a nanosecond. Today's rich women are too much like Emma Woodhouse. Rich and privilege people have not really changed much. Times may have changed yet human nature not so much.

[@alanaestelle2076]

Haha I love Emma Woodhouse

[@user-wl8rr7wb4y]

@@alanaestelle2076 Good for you😒.