HUNT

It would not have been a surprise to anyone if Henry Crawford was Sir Thomas Betram’s blood and especially in the way both deal with Fanny Price. With the running theme of ownership and slavery in the novel, it is quite clear that Fanny belongs to her uncle and this transaction is made quite clear by his own and Mrs Norris’ treatment of the girl.

But when similar tactics of ownership are used by Henry Crawford, the reader is immediately repulsed. His pastime of hunting leaps to another level when he declares to his sister that his next hunt is for Fanny Price and that his “plan is to make Fanny Price in love with (him)”. He needs the “creature” for his own satisfaction and to prove to himself that he has the ability and power to acquire her. While earlier women have easily fallen for him, this is Henry Crawford’s hunt, one from which he wants to emerge victorious. He passes judgment on Fanny based on the sudden change in her from his previous meeting. She is not “plain looking girl but she is now absolutely pretty” for him and her complexion and countenance which were earlier unimpressive suddenly seem to please him. Even though Henry Crawford admits that he does not know much about her character and wonders, “Is she solemn? Is she prudish?” yet this ignorance does not come in the way of his decision of proposing for he wants to exert his dominance and be successful by doing a marriage transaction.

From this very conversation with his sister (Chapter 24), the reader is obviously dubious and questions the morality of Henry Crawford. He is merely judging Mary on surface impressions and because he wants to challenge himself by winning her over. His sister very effectively sums up his situation that her brother is only chasing Fanny for there are none of the Bertram sisters to occupy his time. Yet, there is not even a hint of shame and Henry Crawford very confidently goes on to pursue the young girl.