The colony or idea of the empire forms a significant
and vital to understand, backdrop to Mansfield Park. Yet it cannot escape ones
notice that it remains a very silent part of the novel, though it cannot be by
accident that it remains so. It is obvious that Jane Austen intends to do so,
to perhaps show this silence as a reflection of reality. In the entire novel,
it is significant to notice that who talks and who remains silent is
interesting to see. Thus Maria and Julia Bertram, as well as Mary Crawford are
very vocal in every sense, whereas Fanny is silent. This association places the
colony in a positive light. Yet the representation of the colony is somehow
ambivalent in a sense. It is also associated with the slave trade, and lack of
order, which needs the surveillance of Sir Thomas to somehow place order. In
this sense a dialogue from the novel can be quoted:
“Did
you not hear me ask about the slave trade last night?”
“I
did- and I was in hopes the question would be followed up by others.
It
would have pleased your uncle to be inquired of farther.”
“And
I longed to do it-but there was such a dead silence!”
Whatever the ambiguity or ambivalence in Jane
Austen’s representation of the colony may be, one fact can be established from
the narrative which is that it is essential to maintain life as it is, at home.
Even if there may be issues with colonization and domination, the existence and
continuity of empire, in my opinion, remains in place without a shadow of a
question placed.
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