Mansfield Park Ch. 21: Order Restored, Maria

Summary

Under Sir Thomas, Mansfield is an altered place: some of the society sent away, others saddened, and a sombre family party rarely enlivened. There is little intercourse with the Parsonage. Edmund talks to Fanny, who says she is graver than others. Sir Thomas thinks she is pretty, and Edmund wishes she would talk to him more.

Sir Thomas, who had hoped for a very different son-in-law, asks Maria directly whether she wishes to marry Mr Rushworth, and offers to end the engagement. Maria, who has been dropped by Henry Crawford and means not to show it, answers that she wishes it. A very proper wedding follows. Maria and Mr Rushworth go to Brighton, and Julia goes with them. The family circle contracts.

In this chapter: Key Quotes

Why This Matters

Marrying for Advantage or for Esteem

Watch Maria choose an income, Mary Crawford name a creed of advantage, and Henry's offer test the difference. Under Sir Thomas, Mansfield is an altered place: some of the society sent away, others saddened, and a sombre family party rarely enlivened.

Before you say yes to a big commitment, write down what you are being paid and what you are giving up.

Coming Up in Chapter 22

With her cousins gone, Fanny is noticed. A morning walk to the Parsonage ends in a dinner invitation.

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Original text

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Chapter 21

Order Restored, Maria Wed

Sir Thomas’s return made a striking change in the ways of the family, independent of Lovers’ Vows. Under his government, Mansfield was an altered place. Some members of their society sent away, and the spirits of many others saddened—it was all sameness and gloom compared with the past—a sombre family party rarely enlivened. There was little intercourse with the Parsonage. Sir Thomas, drawing back from intimacies in general, was particularly disinclined, at this time, for any engagements but in one quarter. The Rushworths were the only addition to his own domestic circle which he could solicit. Edmund did not wonder…

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Critical Thinking Exercise

12 minutes

Practise Marrying for Advantage or for Esteem

Write six lines on Order Restored, Maria Wed: who asked, who paid, and what you would have said. Keep it to this chapter.

Consider:

•The working skill is Marrying for Advantage or for Esteem.
•Use only beats from this chapter.
•Name a cost, not a slogan.

Master this chapter. Complete your experience

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Summary

In this chapter: Key Quotes