Summary: Mansfield Park by Jane Austen follows the life of Fanny Price, a young girl from a poor family who is sent to live with her wealthy relatives at Mansfield Park. Fanny struggles to find her place in this new environment, often feeling overlooked and inferior. She develops feelings for her cousin, Edmund Bertram, who is kind to her but ultimately falls for the charming but morally questionable Henry Crawford. Throughout the novel, Fanny's moral integrity is contrasted with the materialism of those around her, ultimately leading to her triumph as she remains true to herself and her principles.
Opinion: One of the most compelling aspects of Mansfield Park is Jane Austen's exploration of morality and social class within early 19th-century England. Through the character of Fanny Price, Austen shows the complexities of integrity, societal expectations, and the struggles of finding one's place in a rigid society. Fanny's journey from a humble background is very thought-provoking, highlighting the tensions between personal values and societal norms. I was disappointed with how many of the choices the characters made were very predictable and weren’t as unique as some of the others. I would recommend Mansfield Park to anyone who enjoys thought-provoking literature with rich character development. I give this book a three out of five.