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Mansfield Park Language and Communication Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

Lady Bertram constantly declined it; but her placid manner of refusal made Mrs. Rushworth still think she wished to come, till Mrs. Norris's more numerous words and louder tone convinced her of the truth (8.2).

Fanny isn't the only one who has trouble making her meaning clear. The passive Lady Bertram also confuses people with her manner and the book seems to suggest that speaking more actively (like the loud Mrs. Norris) is a more effective way of communicating.

Quote #5

"Poor William! He has met with a great kindness from the chaplain of the Antwerp," was a tender apostrophe of Fanny's, very much to the purpose of her own feelings, if not of the conversation (11.26).

Fanny has a definite streak of self-absorption, as this scene reveals. Rather than listen to those around her and actively participate in a conversation, Fanny is off in her own world and comments on her own private feelings.

Quote #6

Fanny could have said a great deal, but it was safer to say nothing, and leave untouched all Miss Crawford's resources [...] lest it should betray her into any observations seemingly unhandsome (21.17).

Fanny equates silence with safety and seems to find action and speaking risky. But even though Fanny protects her secret love of Edmund through her silence, she opens herself up to being misunderstood by staying silent all the time. People have to make their own assumptions about her since she gives them nothing to work with.