Hannah

[Hannah @Hannah1151986]

@lucygoosey317 When I read this I thought it might be Austen herself talking to us in first person. The moment addresses us as readers and acknowledges the darker themes within the novel. I think it draws attention to the role of storytelling to raise questions of morality in the real world

[Hannah @Hannah1151986]

@lucygoosey317 I think this is a good point. Even though us readers and Fanny can see, Edmund fails to make the connection that Mary’s friends are an extension of who she is. I think this is kind of the beginning of his process to seeing Mary clearly.

[Hannah @Hannah1151986]

I think this is what Edmund needed to see from Mary to understand her true character. Though she’s not a bad person she definitely has a different understanding of marriage and virtues. This further supports my guess that Fanny and Edmund are going to be engaged in the end,

[Hannah @Hannah1151986]

Mary and Edmund both feel upset about the relationship between Henry’s and Maria but for different reasons. Edmund is upset on a basis of morals and virtues whereas Mary is upset because they were caught and the scandal reflects poorly on their reputation.

[Hannah @Hannah1151986]

Maria and Henry’s adultery was very unexpected. This proves Fanny’s instincts and decision to not play into Henry’s games with her was smart. This also means Fanny will probably end up with Edmund…

[Hannah @Hannah1151986]

Do the function of letters take on any different role/ significance in this book compared to the others we have read?

[Hannah @Hannah1151986]

During Fanny’s time in Portsmouth, letters have been a way for her to stay connected with her life outside of the Price home. In ch 45 Fanny receives a letter from Lady Bertram informing her that Tom’s fever broke but there is still a lot of concern for his lungs.

[Hannah @Hannah1151986]

@kaylynliv I agree I think we are seeing where Fanny’s proper manners may fail her. Not just with how she rejects Henry but also with her goodbye to Mary. Fanny clearly doesn’t want to keep in touch/write to Mary but she agrees because that is the polite thing to say. It feels inauthentic

[Hannah @Hannah1151986]

@PeterM82787 I think Edmunds understanding of marriage comes from his upbringing and family dynamics. All the characters (not Fanny) seem to view love as something learned and not important to have initially in an engagement. The idea that you get married 1st then fall in love seems popular.

[Hannah @Hannah1151986]

has been the most moral character in the book, she appears to be very disingenuous when it comes to Mary.

[Hannah @Hannah1151986]

In Mary’s goodbye during ch. 36, Mary expresses she will miss Fanny and it seemed pretty heartfelt but Fanny did not sound so genuine. Fanny reluctantly agrees to write Mary here and there and I got the sense she would rather not keep in touch. Thinking about how Fanny

[Hannah @Hannah1151986]

There seems to be an idea that love can be learned over time. You don’t marry someone you love, you learn to love the person you marry.

[Hannah @Hannah1151986]

Now Edmund is trying to match make Fanny and Henry too! I feel like the more these characters push for Fanny to give Henry a shot the more she will push back and resist it. Why are they all so insistent when she has made her feelings clear?

[Hannah @Hannah1151986]

reminds us that he is very comfortable acting/ playing a role. It can be difficult to know when he’s playing and when he’s genuine. Then the conversation shifts to Edmund’s preaching and sermons. Contrasting the two men who are great speakers but in different fields

[Hannah @Hannah1151986]

In ch34 there is a contrast made between Edmund and Henry when the two men join Fanny as she is reciting Shakespeare to Mrs. Bertram. Henry performs the lines beautifully and Mrs Bertram compliments him for his talent. The fact that acting and theater are such strengths for Henry

[Hannah @Hannah1151986]

@maddyy_rose1123 Yes I think the way Mary responds to Henry’s proposal confirms that Mary’s worldview is centered around money and status. Henry’s wealth makes him a great match for Fanny in her eyes but Fanny is more concerned with marrying for love than for a social status.

[Hannah @Hannah1151986]

@kaylynliv I agree. I think it’s really strange especially considering it was Mrs Noris’s idea to bring Fanny into their home in the first place. Mrs. Noris seems to take the negative qualities of other characters and amplify them.

[Hannah @Hannah1151986]

economic status, she wants to marry for love. It seems like nobody can understand why this would be important to her.

[Hannah @Hannah1151986]

The fact that everyone in the book supports Henry marrying Fanny except for Fanny further highlights that she is living by a different set of values. Everyone sees this marriage as an amazing idea for Fanny but she cannot be interested. Fanny won’t marry someone to raise her

[Hannah @Hannah1151986]

I feel like Henry’s choice to actually propose to Fanny comes on abruptly. This whole time he has been such an unserious character and his flirtatious games never seemed to have true romantic interest behind them. Now maybe that’s changing for him?