Mansfield Park Gender Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

His hopes for both gentleman and lady suffered a small depression in consequence; but when he looked at his niece, and saw the state of feature and complexion which her crying had brought her into, he thought there might be as much lost as gained by an immediate interview (32.44).

In his efforts to market Fanny to Henry, Sir Thomas is careful to make sure that Fanny always looks her best when she's around Henry. As today, women were under a lot of pressure to be attractive and to look nice.

Quote #8

"But this I will say, that his fault, the liking to make girls a little in love with him, is not half so dangerous to a wife's happiness as a tendency to fall in love himself, which he has never been addicted to" (36.24).

Mary gives us insight into Henry's playboy antics. He's egotistical enough to want women to love him, and he can do so without any consequences because he's a man living in a time period with such standards.

Quote #9

"I think it ought not to be set down as certain that a man must be acceptable to every woman he may happen to like himself" (35.45).

This is yet another notable instance when Fanny herself delivers a pretty bold thematic statement. Here she shows some backbone and notes that men, particularly Henry, shouldn't be so full of it and expect all women to love them back.