The Colony in Mansfield Park

Edward Said criticizes the treatment of colonies in nineteenth century British novels. The novel, “fundamentally tied to bourgeois society”, presents the upper class ideals of English nationalism while simultaneously reinforcing British imperialism. Colonial expansion is not only presented in a positive light but considered a necessity for the colonizer in order to maintain a certain lifestyle.

As Said points out, the colony, Antigua in the case of Mansfield Park, though significant to the novel itself is only mentioned in passing. The name is used only when absolutely necessary, which comes out to a total of nine times in the entire novel. Other than references to Sir Thomas’ business affairs and travels Antigua is referred to once: when discussing “different modes of dancing” at the ball. Not only are Lord Bertram’s actions in the colony irrelevant but the very idea of Antigua as a colony is ignored. The colony is merely a topic for idle conversation, or, in Fanny’s opinion “entertain[ment]”.

The topic of slavery has been given somewhat similar treatment. The word slave is first used by Fanny when she reminds Edmund of Sir Thomas ignoring her question about it. Since Sir Thomas is not presented as the moral compass anyway, his lack of response only shows his true nature when it comes to compromising principles. On the other hand, Fanny’s desire to question her uncle’s morality, one she is evidently indebted to, is a contrast. Slavery is relevant only to the extent that it is used to define the characters, or as Said put it: “importance of empire to the situation at home”.

            While the novel does seem to have an unapologetic tone, Said writes that it is unreasonable to “expect Jane Austen to treat slavery with anything like the passion of an abolitionist or a newly liberated slave”. However, her casual use of the word slave is quite unforgivable [“Miss Crawford was not the slave of opportunity”]. At a point in time when slavery was very much a reality, such a use of the word seems insensitive. Although slavery in England was not banned till 1833, slave trade had already been abolished, which suggests that opposition to slavery did in fact exist at the time.

            Judging from the slave narrative of the novel, Jane Austen was very much aware of slavery at her time. She, however, chose to highlight the position of women within England rather than addressing the issue of imperialism itself. Her own attitude, towards the institution of slavery, might not have been in line with cosmopolitanism.