The Function of Morality in Mansfield Park
What was it that really attracted Mary Crawford to someone
like Edmund? What
function does his morality have to play in this romantic situation? Edmund was honest,
kind, sincere, gentle, considerate, dependable, and firm. He never considers
changing his profession, even after the disdain Mary expresses, and his only
slip up principally is during the acting in the play. His morally upright character
represented a kind of haven from the kind of life that she was used to, or the
kind of expectations she had of people. He accorded her with some kind of reassurance. “He
pleased her for the present; she liked to have him near her; it was enough.” (Mansfield
Park, Chapter VII). He was
reliable, a sanctuary in Mary’s more “exciting”, worldly, glamorous world. He
was, compared to the rest of her friends and life, restful, secure. He was
principled, unlike her uncle, and even her aunt.
Mary must have observed the stark contrast between Edmund
and the other men at Mansfield, including her own brother. She had reason to
admire Edmund—he presented such a different picture of domestic happiness than
that which Mary was used to seeing. Edmund’s kindness to, and consideration and
respect for, Fanny Price and others must have showed so differently to her
uncle’s treatment of her aunt. The biggest contrast to Edmund was that of her
own brother, whom she knew to be nonchalant and somewhat insincere when it came
to women and their affections. This was the image that she must have developed
of men’s morality, which is why Edmund’s company was so refreshing for her.
Despite all her shortcomings, she truly did fall in love with Edmund and this
was largely because of the kind of morality that he possessed.
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