i haven't read "mansfield park" yet (i've ordered the book) but i was very confused about sir thomas's character in the film. at first, he seemed to dislike fanny, but then when her brother returned before her birthday, his character changed completely and he treated her like a daughter. was this portrayed in the novel as well, or was this just something that was done for the film?
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RIP Heath Ledger
1979 - 2008
it's nothing but a tragedy..
Sir Thomas didn't dislike Fanny in the book, although he is insensitive to her feelings. None of the Bertrams (except Edmund) made any effort to help Fanny feel at home when she first comes to Mansfield and she's lonely and unhappy. Sir Thomas is stern and solemn and Fanny is very timid, so she's rather afraid of him. Julia and Maria find him a repressive presence too and don't act like their true selves in front of him either. Also, before Sir Thomas went abroad, he relied very much on Mrs Norris to help him raise the girls. Mrs Norris is a vile excuse for a human being (much, much worse in the book than the film) who dislikes Fanny intensely. Mrs Norris bullies her neice and always tries to show Fanny in a bad light to Sir Thomas.
When Sir Thomas comes back from the West Indies, he comes to realise how stupid and spiteful his sister-in-law is and to rely on her less. He can also see Fanny's good qualities (her good relationship with William, her refusal to act in the play, her improved looks) and their relationship begins to improve. It runs into problems when Fanny refuses Henry Crawford since she can't explain why she said no, but eventually he treats her just like his daughter.
I hope you enjoy the book.
You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hopeshare
thank you! that cleared up the story for me a lot!
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RIP Heath Ledger
1979 - 2008
it's nothing but a tragedy..