I have read through chapter seventeen of Mansfield Park by the one and only Jane Austen, but I want to discuss how Mrs. Norris’ reasoning for Sir Thomas to take in Fanny and his own thoughts on the matter. Mrs. Norris starts off talking about Fanny should have an education and how taking her in could help Fanny, but then Mrs. Norris descends into why it would benefit his sons to have her brought in.

I am referring to how Mrs. Norris is suggesting that by taking Fanny in as a young girl, Sir Thomas will be protecting his sons from falling in love with her. Mrs. Norris puts it like so: “You are thinking of your sons—but do not you know that of all things upon earth that is the least likely to happen; brought up, as they would be, always together like brothers and sisters? It is morally impossible. I never knew an instance of it. It is, in fact, the only sure way of providing against the connection” (Austen 38). What Mrs. Norris is saying is that Sir Thomas should take in Fanny to prevent his sons and Fanny from getting into any kind of romantic relationship.

Now, despite today’s ideas of marrying one’s first cousin, I think that this is a real concern for Sir Thomas especially given Fanny’s social status. I do not like that this seems to be what ultimately won him over because it suggests that the affairs and lives of his sons are more important than Fanny’s unfortunate situation. Of course, this is the times, but the idea that Fanny should be taken better care of to ensure that his sons do not fall for someone outside of their social station is appalling.

Despite that it is Mrs. Norris to voice the idea of Fanny and his sons falling in love, I do think that this concern was at the forefront of Sir Thomas’ mind because of his thoughts behind his reluctance: “He debated and hesitated;—it was a serious charge;—a girl so brought up must be adequately provided for, or there would be cruelty instead of kindness in taking her from her family. He thought of his own four children—of his sons—of cousins in love” (Austen 37). Sir Thomas does start to think of Fanny and her well-being, but by the end of the quote, he thinks of his sons and “cousin in love,” an obvious hint to the worry of his sons forming romantic connects to their cousin. On top of that, Sir Thomas does agree to take Fanny in after Mrs. Norris convinces him that taking in Fanny would prevent any romantic ties would happen with his sons.

So, yes, I think Fanny is granted a “better” life in order to prevent any negative effects on Sir Thomas’ sons. I don’t like it, but at least Fanny was able to have opportunities that her siblings did not have. I have some suspicions and thoughts on whether this change in lifestyle will benefit Fanny overall (given how isolated and sad she seems to be), but that is a post for another day.

(WC: 525)