Welcome to Litsy!

This chapter on Mansfield Park's DL commentary on the slave trade seems not only the most plausible of Kelly's claims, but also the most fascinating. Why else, in a novel centered on morality, would Austen have so many references throughout? From the names "Mansfield" and "Norris", which would have obvious connotations for her audience, to repeatedly invoking Cowper, who famously wrote anti-slavery poetry, I feel like the connection is undeniable.

Sunday morning bellini and some musings on Mansfield Park. Though I will never agree with the author that Fanny is as dull as he claims, I appreciate how he contrasts Fanny and Edmund with the Crawfords and draws parallels to the class divides within his own life. He sums up his take with a bit from an Austen letter written the same year MP was published: "Wisdom is better than Wit & in the long run will certainly have the last laugh on her side."

#BookReport

I finished Mansfield Park #PemberLittens #JaneAustenThenAndNow and Under brosteinen, stranden!

I read TAo The Veiled Lodger #NoPlaceLikeHolmes

I continued with my yearlong reads on the right

I continued Little Dorrit #WhatTheDickens and to listen to The Flower Farm

I‘ve started The Whalebone Theatre

Mansfield is a pick forever! I might rage against the Crawfords, and sure, Edmund isn't fantastic...but Fanny's quiet, unshakable strength brings me back time and time again.

Thanks as always to @Crinoline_Laphroaig for leading us through a whole year of Austen. #PemberLittens #JaneAustenThenAndNow

And it's a mad dash to the book's close! Fanny arrives back home and Edmund pours out the whole sorry story of Mary and then suddenly it's the "wrap it up" chapter?! Everyone gets a satisfying and deserved ending based on their actions and moral character (Maria and Mrs. Norris banished in disgrace, huzzah!) and Fanny is vindicated in every respect (double huzzah!). Long live the girl who's maybe kinda boring but has been GOOD and RIGHT all along!

"Let other pens dwell on guilt and misery."
And that's a wrap on Mansfield Park 2 Chapters a Day Readalong. Discussion Post will be up on July 30th. ?

#pemberlittens
#janeaustenthenandnow
#musingsonmansfieldpark

Now, I don't generally dislike Edmund, but after all the shit that goes down in these two chapters, he comes out with THIS?!:

"How a man who had once loved, could desert you! But yours - your regard was new compared with ---- Fanny, think of me!"

We will NOT be thinking of you or centering you in the midst of this, Edmund, so get out of the way: Fanny has arrived home at Mansfield and is about to be greeted like a long-lost daughter (win!).

"Never had Fanny more wanted a cordial." Wow Mary Crawford is a piece of work. Although at least she doesn't hide her golddigger tendencies.

I think you're gonna need a whiskey Fanny. ?
#Pemberlittens
#JaneAustenThenAndNow
#MusingsOnMansfieldPark

“I never will—no, I certainly never will wish for a letter again,” was Fanny‘s secret declaration, as she finished this. “What do they bring but disappointment and sorrow?"

7 WEEKS Edmund!!! You couldn't find time to write Fanny because you were to busy mooning over Mary Crawford.

#Pemberlittens
#JaneAustenThenAndNow
#MusingsOnMansfieldPark

Letters are flying! Mary writes to update Fanny on the London social scene, including how FOINE Edmund is looking (I always love how offended Fanny is on his behalf, like, he's more than just a hot piece of ass, Mary!!). Meanwhile Edmund writes to say that he's truly in love with Mary even though she's a shallow gold digger with horrible friends. Finally, Lady B writes in distress- Tom has had a drunken fall and things are not looking good. 😬