Mansfield Park Passivity Quotes

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

Quote #10

She could not turn her eyes from the meadow, she could not help watching all that passed. At first Miss Crawford and her companion made the circuit of the field, which was not small, at a foot's pace; then at her apparent suggestion, they rose into a canter; and to Fanny's timid nature it was most astonishing to see how well she sat (7.16).

The riding scene provides a clear symbolic contrast between Mary and Fanny. The way they ride is representative of the way they live their lives. Mary is a bold rider, able to race around quickly. Fanny rides at a snails pace on her old pony and is here stuck standing still and watching the more active Mary.

Quote #11

He hardly knew whether there were any difference in her spirits or not. She was always so gentle and retiring, that her emotions were beyond his discrimination. He did not understand her; he felt that he did not [..] (37.1).

Once again, Fanny's passiveness and her constantly gentle manner confuse people, in this case Sir Thomas. Since Fanny rarely expresses herself or her emotions, she's a complete mystery to those around her and is often misunderstood.