I have been put in my place. From One far more knowledgeable on the subject than myself, I have been informed of yet a third representation of "Mansfield Park," which, I must admit, does bear a close resemblance to the novel. I've only seen clips, but the 1983 version seems to do justice to Mary Crawford, Lady Bertram, Henry Crawford, and Edmund, although I am as yet unconvinced regarding Fanny. Perhaps I am merely partial to the 2007 version ... but the 80's style of dress and hair, and cinematography, can only pale in comparison to our double blessing and curse of modern technology.
Thus humbled, I leave it to you: which is your preferred version of the three? And yes, that means a week-long marathon of Mansfield Park. I give you Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday to read the novel (at 50-odd pages a day, that's a considerable amount), and then Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to see the three versions. Virtus tentamine gaudet! And see how many younger siblings (or scientifically-minded friends) you can bore into exhaustion with regency costume, "excessively diverting" language, and ten thousand a year?
Catherine, I've so enjoyed your posts on this novel! I love Mansfield Park, but not many see its virtues the way you and I do. I think it's one of Austen's best - an honest portrayal of very flawed characters who achieve happiness at the end through grace and humility, nothing else. :-)
ReplyDeleteSo, do you have time over break for a movie marathon? (Brenna, you're invited, too!) I just have to get my mom to agree. Or we can have it at Julia's new house! Right, Julia!?!
ReplyDeleteSWEET!!!!!!!!! WHEN??? WHERE???? NAME THE PLACE MY FRIEND!!!!!!! :D
ReplyDeleteKiernan, so glad you liked the post! Great minds think alike :) It's very disappointing to hear so many complaints about Fanny; just because she isn't Lizzy Bennet doesn't mean we can't appreciate her good qualities! As you say, a very true-to-life portrayal; very human! And maybe I'm partial; maybe I see too much of my *ahem* phlegmatic self in her, but I think people need to read into her character a bit more deeply. I think she is a very complex character, and that is why, perhaps, people don't understand her or sympathize with her as much. That's my opinion!
ReplyDeleteAs for YOU TWO AGAIN ... I'm never letting you off the leash. You are much too hyper, and I am extremely afraid of what you would do to the sanity of those around you if your personalities ever met and collided ... *sigh* A marathon does sound lovely, though ;) Tell your mom to talk to my mom, and we'll see if we can't work something out!
lol I just thought how funny it was that there are three sisters in Mansfield Park ... what horrors they are, too! Nothing like our mothers/aunts! Thankfully, I am not in love with any of my cousins, either (and none of them happen to be clergymen; that's a relief!), and all my siblings are much better behaved. Yes, I'm afraid the similarity stops with "three" and "sisters"!
Thanks for inviting yourselves over! Just remember I'm going to be 8 months pregnant and looking and feeling more like a beached whale than a human being!
ReplyDeleteAs for Catherine's actual post, yes the cinematography is quite distracting in the old Mansfield and Fanny is not your typical heroine. Then again, neither is Anne in Persuasion, but I like Anne better than Fanny, sorry!
That was Rose. It's her fault. Don't blame me. I'm innocent.
ReplyDeleteReally? you liked Anne better? Hmmm. See, I guess I always thought Anne had been weak in giving in to pursuasion. Of course, she was young and foolish at the time - though that generally leads to imprudent, not prudent, decisions - but she did have a choice: to accept or not to accept. Fanny never really has an all-defining moment, until turning down Henry's proposal, but even then, she's so super-self-conscious that she can't even do THAT definitively. It's not that she says 'no,' she just never says 'yes.' Fanny is weak, yes, but not morally weak, more ... well, socially weak? decisionally weak? Ok, I guess you can say the same about Anne ... but ... but ... but! I don't know. I guess I sympathized with Fanny a lot more; she's sort of the victim of unfortunate events, not really making out her own destiny. I mean, it's such a complete fluke that she even marries Edmund *spoilers* at the end; if Henry and Mrs. R had not been "indiscreet," no one would have found out anything, Edmund would never have discussed the topic with Mary Crawford, never would have had the veil ripped from his eyes (despite the fact that the veil was as transparent as it could be, but whatev), probably would have proposed sooner rather than later. I don't know if she would have agreed to become a clergyman's wife ... but you never know. I sort of get the impression that she did, in her own way, truly love him. It's arguable. But the point was ...
Oh. Fanny. Yep. Ultimately, I blame her temperament. Chained to a grey, insipid personality with too much blah to ever be able to work up enough enough will to even want to be unchained - let alone actually work to find the key. And I still sympathize with her. What does that say about ME???
Ah, Rose . . . :D Isn't it SO much fun to bounce off walls?!?!?! I drive several of my friends crazy with some of my doings:D . . .Oh, and btw Catherine, if you want us on a leash . . . then you'll have to catch us! >:) Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!!!! (. . . "GASP! RUN Rose!!! She's starting to gain on us!!! GAAAAAAH!!!!")
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Julia! Wasn't aware you were expecting :) I have a sister-in-law, who is due in December sometime, actually. It's her first, so we're all really excited about that!( Not, however, to the point of bouncing off walls ;) That'll be after the baby is born. Lol)
HA!!!! I HAVE read Persuasion!!! Here was I feeling kind of left out what with all this talk of Mansfield Park, and Julia opens up Persuasion! (Not literally, I don't think) Cheers!!!! I liked Anne, too. I just can't compare her with Fanny to know which was more "likable" :) (... I did mention I hadn't read Mansfield Park, right???:)) My list of books to read is ever growing . . . What joy!!!! :D
Brenna, I have a sister-in-law due in December, too! COOL! Are you an aunt already or are you going to be the first time? I'll become an aunt one month before becoming a mother!
ReplyDeleteMy brother Matt and his wife Gennie have two adorable children: Lorna and Joseph :) Lorna is two, and Joseph is six months old. They live in MN, and, actually, we were just up there the weekend before last, visiting them. It was so nice to see them all :D It's amazing how fast little kids grow, though. Lorna had her hair in pig-tails when we first saw them! It was sooooo cute! I love 'em ♥
ReplyDeleteMansfield Park is also one of my favorites. :) I'm so jealous that you get to write a paper on it. I think that might be the only time I would ever be jealous about writing a paper. Anyways I cannot comment on the films as I have only seen the most recent BBC version which I thought was true to the book. Let me know when you get to Persuasion, then we'll really have something to talk about. :)
ReplyDeleteGENA! Hi :D Glad to hear from you!!! Yeah, the paper is actually coming along really well; I'm surprised. Are you a big fan of Persuasion? have you seen the movie?
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