It seems that of all of JA's novels, Mansfield Park receives the least lovin'. So I thought I'd dedicate a topic to it. ^_~ FYI, lots of spoilers below.

Personally, MP is one of my favorites. Fanny Price is one of my favorite Austen heroines as well, if not my absolute favorite. Some people think she is "priggish" and "insipid", but I don't see it that way; she's certainly a bit shy, and of strong moral fiber, but I don't think that this makes her a bore. It is her good principles which she doesn't compromise which ultimately rewards her, with the man she loves. Take in comparison to the Crawfords, who were in contrast extremely unprincipled, and what becomes of them; also, of the spoiled Bertram sisters. Jane Austen always gave all of her characters their just rewards!

Another popular idea is that Henry and Fanny would have made a great couple. Eek! The idea of it makes me shudder. They were so incredibly different... they wouldn't have done well together at all. I won't even bother elaborating on possible scenarios of unhappiness.

Also, what does everyone think of Sir Thomas? I liked him, personally (though it's clear the writer of MP2 didn't, but that's another topic ^_~); even if he wasn't a good father in practice, he was in principle; and by the end of the novel, he had learned his lesson. On the other hand, Mrs. Norris was just way too concerned with herself to admit she was wrong; so the best thing to do with her is to just get her out of the way, which JA also does!

Lots of people dislike Edmund as well. Sure, he's perhaps a bit of a blockhead at first because of his infatuation with Mary Crawford, but unlike her, he has principles; which makes him right for Fanny. And he eventually comes round to see that his perfect wife had been right before his eyes all along. His character certainly doesn't sparkle, and I probably wouldn't like him a great deal (though I wouldn't dislike him), but for Fanny's sake.

Well, I'd love to know what everybody else thinks. =)