Manners and Morality

Austen‟s novels are called “Novels of Manners” Manners in Austen, unlike

Restoration, refer to conformance to social etiquette, recognition of the symbiotic
relationship between the individual and society, a general politeness, an
individual‟s location in society, a series of expectations regarding one‟s social
conduct. Throughout Mansfield Park, Austen explores the complex relationship
between manners and morality.
Although Mrs. Norris and Sir Thomas congratulate themselves on their supposed
moral goodness when they take Fanny in, Austen damningly portrays their
“kindness” as a way to make them feel and look generous rather than actual
generosity for Fanny‟s benefit. Fanny‟s initial arrival at Mansfield Park reveals this
dissonance, when ten-year old Fanny expresses intense anxiety and fear about her
new home. Rather than recognizing Fanny‟s unhappiness and trying to make her
more comfortable, Mrs. Norris remarks that Fanny‟s response is ungrateful and
rude. Mrs. Norris then continually uses the idea of good manners, and Fanny‟s
failure to show them, as an excuse to criticize and demean her. From the very first
chapters of Mansfield Park, then, Austen displays the discrepancy between good
manners and genuine morality.

As Fanny grows older, unlike the other characters, she does not deviate from her
strong set of moral principles, even when it means that she appears ill mannered or
contrarian. Throughout the novel, whenever Fanny resists something that
contradicts her moral compass but that other people approve of, Mrs. Norris
harshly reminds Fanny that she should be grateful to her uncle for providing for
her and so do whatever the Bertrams want.
Fanny is also faced with her society‟s standard of morality. Unlike Maria, Fanny
does not view propriety as a mere mask. No, for even when Fanny is pressured to
behave immorally, she remains steadfast, demonstrating that, for her, morality is
not superficial but internal. For instance, Fanny‟s heart prompts her not to
participate in her cousins‟ theatrical performance, a play she dubs “improper for
home representation”. Adamantly, Fanny‟s cousins entreat her to act, but she
resists, demonstrating her tremendous inner strength and morality. It is this
virtuousness, this “goodness of heart” that compels Mr. Crawford to declare that
Fanny has “some touches of the angel in [her]” correct.
Like Maria and Mary, Fanny Price is presented with a suitor: the charming,
charismatic, and most importantly—wealthy Mr. Crawford. When Lady Bertram
discovers Mr. Crawford‟s interest in Fanny, she promptly reminds Fanny of the
financial “duty” of marriage: “„[Y]ou must be aware, Fanny, that it is every young
woman‟s duty to accept such . . . [a fortunate] offer as this‟”. However, unlike
Maria, and Mary, Fanny rejects her culture‟s monetary idea of marriage—Fanny
Price cannot be bought for a “price.” Instead, Fanny examines men‟s hearts,
seeking certain principles before consenting to marriage. Fanny refuses to marry
Henry, despite being pressured, because she believes that, despite his charm and
superficial kindness, he does not have good values—an impulse that turns out to be
correct.

As the novel progresses, Fanny begins to be explicitly frustrated by good manners,

which so often hide immorality, and which often keep her from connecting with
other people. The rules of society prevent her from, for example, joining in social
events above her class, or comforting Julia after Henry‟s rejection.

By the time Fanny goes to visit Portsmouth towards the end of the book, she looks
forward to relief from the strict rules of manners. The narrator, after describing
how her sisters did not greet her with proper manners when she arrives, states,
“But manner Fanny did not want. Would they but love her, she should be
satisfied.” However, as Fanny spends more time at her childhood home, she begins
to see that their looser understanding of manners does not necessarily correlate to
genuine morality.
Through this exploration of Fanny‟s developing sense of the relationship between
manners and morality, Austen expresses her criticism of 19th century obsession
with manners. Through Fanny, who moves beyond overly strict rules of manners
while maintaining her commitment to treating others well, the novel suggests
following one‟s own moral compass, in spite of social expectations, is essential to
being a good person.