Happily Ever After?

Mansfield Park: Chapters 44-48

In these final chapters of the novel, Fanny is stuck in Portsmouth while chaos is happening in London. Letters arrive to the Price household describing Tom Bertram's (junior) serious illness, Maria's indiscretion, and Mary Crawford's conniving. In the aftermath, Edmund finally goes to pick up Fanny and bring her back to Mansfield Park, where, once home, Fanny learns all that happened between Edmund and Mary that caused their falling out. Now, with Mary out of the picture - is it finally happily ever after for Fanny?

This week Elle and Catrina discuss just how diabolical Mary really is, while wondering if Edmund truly deserves Fanny. They also discuss how Sir Thomas has grown a lot over the course of the story and comes to realize all of his shortcomings as a parent. Which is good for him, because unfortunately Mrs. Norris isn't so lucky, as her favorite niece has become her punishment.

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