Mansfield Park: Mary Crawford
In the first paragraph of Chapter 5 of Volume 1, we're told Mary Crawford charmed the Bertram brothers "with her lively dark eye, clear brown complexion, and general prettiness." Doesn't this sound a lot like Elizabeth Bennet? How do you react to Mary Crawford and why? Do you like her, hate her, or feel indifferent? She's got all the wit and quickness that Lizzy has, but unlike with Lizzy, it seems like the narrator tries to steer the reader to criticize Mary. Did JA shoot herself in the foot by doing this?