Episode 109: “Mansfield Park” by Jane Austen, Vol. 2, Ch. 1-5
On The Literary Life Podcast this week, Angelina, Cindy and Thomas are continuing their series on Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park. This is the third episode in the series. They open their discussion talking about the virtue of temperance and how Fanny Price embodies temperance. In looking at the plot and the reaction of various characters to Sir Thomas’ return, they bring out more of Fanny’s virtues in contrast to the vices of other players in this section. Other themes highlighted in this section are the harp as a symbol of harmony, the problem of self-focus, the qualities of nature, and the Cinderella story parallels Austen is playing with.
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Commonplace Quotes:
He had a head to contrive, a tongue to persuade, and a hand to execute any mischief.
Edward Hyde
Here, again, I would urge that appreciation is not a voluntary offering, but a debt we owe, and a debt we must acquire the means to pay by patient and humble study. In this, as in all the labours of the conscience seeking for instruction, we are enriched by our efforts; but self-culture should not be our object. Let us approach Art with the modest intention to pay a debt that we owe in learning to appreciate. So shall we escape the irritating ways of the connoisseur!
Charlotte Mason
The temperate man is so well-ordered that he does not feel the temptations of passion or desire. There is a difficulty about temperance, too, since it is a virtue that consists chiefly of not doing things. The liveliness of action and imagery must occur chiefly among its opponents, and we know what is liable to happen in this situation, even when there is no doubt about where our moral sympathy should lie. We have seen it in many works of fiction. But Guyon remains a colorless hero, and there is neither a heroic trial nor a radiant climax to his quest.
Graham Hough
To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time
by Robert Herrick
Gather ye rose-buds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today
Tomorrow will be dying.
The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,
The higher he’s a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he’s to setting.
That age is best which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
Times still succeed the former.
Then be not coy, but use your time,
And while ye may, go marry;
For having lost but once your prime,
You may forever tarry.
Book List:
Lord Clarendon’s History of the Great Rebellion by Edward Hyde
Ourselves by Charlotte Mason
A Preface to the Faerie Queene by Graham Hough
“Tintern Abbey” by William Wordsworth
Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe
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2 Comments
Veronica Hammerling
Another fairytale detail I noticed in this section of the book was Sir Thomas burning all the copies of the play. It reminded me of the king in Sleeping Beauty burning up all the spinning wheels to try and save his daughter from danger. Unfortunately for Sir Thomas, it was too little too late.
Ruthie Sheppard
Finally someone says it! When y’all talk about the idea that not everyone is entitled to an opinion on every subject I couldn’t agree with you more. It’s so egotistical to think that your opinion ought to be heard and equally listened to though you know nothing of the subject and have spent no time researching or pondering the idea. I don’t think people today are humble enough to admit that they have no opinion or a fully formed opinion. It’s just not possible to have an real opinion on every subject.