I always wonder what specific examples people are thinking of when they write that Fanny does not stand up for herself. What would you have had her do differently? I'm assuming that critics of Fanny understand the two big incidents in which she most definitely does stand up for herself, namely, she refuses to be part of the play and she refuses Frank's offer of marriage against the wishes of her Uncle Bertram.
What other times are there when she might have spoken up and been more feisty (which is not a Regency word but is the antonym of Fanny's style)?
1. As a child and into adolescence, she never tells off her cousins for making fun of her and subtly belittling her in any number of ways. These times are not specified but we can imagine from what we are generally told that they happened.
Farny could have broken out, and I daresay that had it been her more forthright sister Susan instead of her in the situation, Susan would have been more outspoken. Would it have made Fanny as loved and accepted eventually, or would they have sent her back home to Portsmouth right away? And how would the "feisty" child have faced her mother, for being tossed out because she had a fresh and argumentative mouth?
Instead, Fanny holds her head down and tries to survive. It does not make her less intelligent or less acute in her judgments of morality. If Fanny had been a mean or spiteful person who secretly laughed at everyone's troubles, then I think it would be hard to like her--although this passive aggressive reaction would be understandable. But she is not laughing at everyone or wishing them ill. But she is not mean or spiteful. She likes her cousins as much as it is reasonable--actually, more than they deserve. I see nothing in the book to support any notion that she is other than kind and gentle.
2. When she has become of the age to be consdiered a woman, although she is nof officially "out," here come the Crawfords. Mary Crawford is witty and worldly and all together fascinating to Edmund. Fanny's former champion mometarily forgets her and even usurps the horse that was to be for Fanny's use to Mary's monopolization. Though usurp is perhaps not the right word because the horse does belong to Edmund and he was being kind in the first place to let Fanny use it. Here is a possible incident when Fanny might have spoken up and said, "Stop letting her hog my horse just because she has turned your head."
But, to say anything of the sort would have been ill-bred and out-of-line, even by modern standards. Let's not even talk about the super-polite strictures of Regency England. How could Fanny have "spoken up" for herself in this situation? I think the answer is that she could not but could only graciously accept Edmund's neglect. When he realizes what he has done, he makes sure that Fanny can have the horse again.
3. When Mrs. Norris attempts to keep Fanny from going on the trip to the Rushworth's Sothernton, Fanny might have spoken up to tell the old bat off. Certainly, we readers wanted her to. But we knew that would be out of place. So, Fanny is again quiet. As it turns out, Edmund has made up his mind that Fanny will go and Mrs. Norris just has to suck it up.
Austen could have written Fanny differently and have included small instances when Fanny spoke up for herself or told others off. Fanny as written has no opportunity to do this and would be a radically different character -- and it would be a different book! -- if she did.
So, perhaps it is facetious of me to even inquire what specific incidents people have in mind when they complain about what a wuss Fanny is. Not everyone is going to like Fanny. I love her and think Austen did a fabulous job in creating a profile in endurance. The book is also quite funny but it took me a couple of readings before I could see the humor. I had been too busy bemoaning Fanny's state and wishing she was stronger and Edmund more sagacious earlier. But then I started reading the book Austen wrote instead of the book I wanted it to be and I found that Austen had written a better book than my own initial discontents would have drawn up.
If someone wants to take the basic Mansfield Partk themes and try to write a feisty Fanny, I'll give it a read. I do hope it turns out better than the recent Masterpiece Theater adaptation.
What other times are there when she might have spoken up and been more feisty (which is not a Regency word but is the antonym of Fanny's style)?
1. As a child and into adolescence, she never tells off her cousins for making fun of her and subtly belittling her in any number of ways. These times are not specified but we can imagine from what we are generally told that they happened.
Quote
Kept back as she was by everybody else, his [Edmund's] single support could not bring her forward; but his attentions were otherwise of the highest importance in assisting the improvement of her mind, and extending its pleasures. He knew her to be clever, to have a quick apprehension as well as good sense, and a fondness for reading, which, properly directed, must be an education in itself.
Farny could have broken out, and I daresay that had it been her more forthright sister Susan instead of her in the situation, Susan would have been more outspoken. Would it have made Fanny as loved and accepted eventually, or would they have sent her back home to Portsmouth right away? And how would the "feisty" child have faced her mother, for being tossed out because she had a fresh and argumentative mouth?
Instead, Fanny holds her head down and tries to survive. It does not make her less intelligent or less acute in her judgments of morality. If Fanny had been a mean or spiteful person who secretly laughed at everyone's troubles, then I think it would be hard to like her--although this passive aggressive reaction would be understandable. But she is not laughing at everyone or wishing them ill. But she is not mean or spiteful. She likes her cousins as much as it is reasonable--actually, more than they deserve. I see nothing in the book to support any notion that she is other than kind and gentle.
2. When she has become of the age to be consdiered a woman, although she is nof officially "out," here come the Crawfords. Mary Crawford is witty and worldly and all together fascinating to Edmund. Fanny's former champion mometarily forgets her and even usurps the horse that was to be for Fanny's use to Mary's monopolization. Though usurp is perhaps not the right word because the horse does belong to Edmund and he was being kind in the first place to let Fanny use it. Here is a possible incident when Fanny might have spoken up and said, "Stop letting her hog my horse just because she has turned your head."
But, to say anything of the sort would have been ill-bred and out-of-line, even by modern standards. Let's not even talk about the super-polite strictures of Regency England. How could Fanny have "spoken up" for herself in this situation? I think the answer is that she could not but could only graciously accept Edmund's neglect. When he realizes what he has done, he makes sure that Fanny can have the horse again.
3. When Mrs. Norris attempts to keep Fanny from going on the trip to the Rushworth's Sothernton, Fanny might have spoken up to tell the old bat off. Certainly, we readers wanted her to. But we knew that would be out of place. So, Fanny is again quiet. As it turns out, Edmund has made up his mind that Fanny will go and Mrs. Norris just has to suck it up.
Austen could have written Fanny differently and have included small instances when Fanny spoke up for herself or told others off. Fanny as written has no opportunity to do this and would be a radically different character -- and it would be a different book! -- if she did.
So, perhaps it is facetious of me to even inquire what specific incidents people have in mind when they complain about what a wuss Fanny is. Not everyone is going to like Fanny. I love her and think Austen did a fabulous job in creating a profile in endurance. The book is also quite funny but it took me a couple of readings before I could see the humor. I had been too busy bemoaning Fanny's state and wishing she was stronger and Edmund more sagacious earlier. But then I started reading the book Austen wrote instead of the book I wanted it to be and I found that Austen had written a better book than my own initial discontents would have drawn up.
If someone wants to take the basic Mansfield Partk themes and try to write a feisty Fanny, I'll give it a read. I do hope it turns out better than the recent Masterpiece Theater adaptation.