Contrast Between Mary and Fanny

Last week in class we talked about the possibility of duel heroines in Fanny Price and Mary Crawford. Both seemed to have intrinsic flaws and redeemable characteristics-Fanny as totally passive yet kind and virtuous, Mary as rudely over-opinionated yet charming and with agency. During the first half it seemed as if the reader had to pick one of the contrasting heroines to identify with, not finding much to root for in either. However, I feel that if the reader could stand by Fanny’s total lack of agency for the first half of the novel, they would find something to root for in her adamant stand against marrying Mr. Crawford. Finally after pages without Fanny having a voice or action other than an adoption of Edmund’s opinions or following of her family’s orders, she matures from her character lacking any form of agency into one who stands up to Sir Thomas and voices her outright refusal to marry Mr. Crawford. Her use of her voice and agency in this matter is rewarded by her eventual marriage to the man whom she loves, Edmund. Mary Crawford’s overuse of her opinions without reason or knowledge leads to Edmund’s refusal to marry her. The contrast between the heroines is resolved as Fanny matures and finally utilizes her voice to get what she wants, yet Austen warns against overuse as seen in Mary Crawford. As Kate mentioned, Austen uses the reward of marriage in order to show the right and wrong behavior of Fanny and Mary.