Fanny

Fanny’s character is a whole new level of pathetic. And yes, it sounds harsh, but I just feel so bad for her, and at the same time, so disappointed. Her situation is as agentless as you can get. Although she is brought to Mansfield as a supposed improvement from her former situation, she is still pretty stuck. The Bertrams and Mrs. Norris remind her of her place and don't really cultivate her so she can actually reap the benefits of this “good fortune.” Sir Thomas frightens her, the girls think she is stupid and beneath her, and Lady Bertram and Mrs. Norris just use her as their kind of meek puppet. The only one that helps her out is Edmund, but his affection, although kind, still doesn't give her agency. Yes, it seems as if he genuinely cares for her and wants her grow to be confident, she is still a pawn, in a sense (“having formed her mind…he had a good chance of her thinking like him”). What really struck me was the scene when Fanny has a headache because Mrs. Norris and Lady Bertram had her cutting roses and running around in the heat all day, and Edmund kicks himself for ignoring her and not taking care of her. Yes, it is kind and affectionate, but at Fanny’s age she probably should be able to plead indisposition or something.

I guess this made me think of Adeline, whose situation in life was infinitely worse (being ostracized and all…). But what I value in Adeline, at least in comparison to Fanny, is that she was in a terrible situation in society because of a decision she made. At this point in the novel, Fanny has not made a single decision. She’s the pawn of Mansfield Park simply because that's her lot in society.