Comments | pen_ink: Mansfield Park: Henry Crawford

plumapen in pen_ink

Mansfield Park: Henry Crawford

Apr 24, 2008 14:19

Another of JA's delicious rogues, with a bit of a twist this time. How trustworthy do you think Henry is? Do you like him? hate him? Do you find yourself rooting for him at all or is he too much of a cad?

I'll admit, as the novel goes along, I find myself hoping Fanny falls for him just a little.

ral::mansfield, ral

Comments 4

canutius May 21 2008, 13:35:40 UTC

Henry is just the sort of guy who could go either way. Although I never really totally disliked him, he gives himself away in the beginning with his intention of making the women fall in love with him. That made me mistrust him. It wasn’t necessarily to follow that he would make such a huge mess of things, but he would have left broken hearts behind him in any case. I did start to dislike him more and more as he continued making a pig’s ear of things, but then he actually fell in love with Fanny, which made me hope he might redeem himself. He certainly would have been good for Fanny as far as the social aspect is concerned. Also, if anyone could have made him give up his capricious ways, it would have been Fanny. However, that in itself is uncertain. Would she really have been able to make him “good” or would the novelty have worn off once the thrill of getting Fanny had worn off? I’d like to think that she would have been able to guide him towards constancy and sense, but my cynical nature (and my ex-husband) says not. ( ... )

mauvaise_etoile June 1 2008, 23:50:39 UTC

I'm really conflicted about Henry. I didn't like him much at the beginning, thinking him much a bit too cocky for my tastes. He didn't disappoint in that respect. But then, when he declares his love for Fanny, it seemed genuine and he won me over a bit. I felt myself wishing she'd fall for him, also. I was actually feeling bad for him that she was so adamantly against marrying him. And then he comes through fully with that cocky, mistrustful self that we started with. :/

I was immediately left wondering what if? Would he have been a faithful and devoted husband to Fanny, which is what she deserves? I don't think so. I think his true colors were proved in the end and Fanny would've eventually been miserable with him (assuming she'd somewhat fallen for him).

plumapen June 30 2008, 18:51:39 UTC

I'm conflicted about Henry too. The first time I read MP I despised him. The second time I read it, I found him charming, if a little despicable, but still thought Fanny made the right choice, despite what the narrator said about him at the end. Then I saw Patricia Rozema's adaptation and was struck by her very sympathetic portrayal of Henry. This time, then, I tried to go in with more of an open mind and totally found myself wishing Fanny would give this guy a chance. And the narrator's wrap-up of Henry's part totally won me over. Yes, he began trying to just pass the time, but like Willoughby, I think he was truly caught himself in the end, so that by the time he works for William's promotion, he doesn't realize how deeply in love he really is. Yes, I am a sap and would totally write a fic having Henry come back and win Fanny over and writing Edmund out somehow, lol.

mauvaise_etoile July 1 2008, 00:56:15 UTC

Yes, I am a sap and would totally write a fic having Henry come back and win Fanny over and writing Edmund out somehow, lol.

LMAO! Edmund could be run over by a buggy or something. :D