Mansfield Park
Maria Bertram
The elder Bertram daughter
The proud, restless elder Bertram sister. She marries a rich fool for his estate and then throws everything away for Henry Crawford.
Maria Bertram is the eldest daughter at Mansfield, proud, vain and eager for wealth and status. She is engaged to Mr. Rushworth because of his money, and her aunt Mrs. Norris rejoices at her prospects of a house in town and fine diamonds.
She looks down on Fanny and resents any restraint. When Henry Crawford pays her attention, she is flattered and forgets her duty. She is the more passionate of the sisters and the more willing to break the rules, and she is a strong contrast to Fanny's modesty.
“That iron gate gives me a feeling of constraint. I cannot get out.”
In the story
Contains spoilers.
At Sotherton she slips past the locked gate with Henry, and in the play she takes the part opposite him. When Sir Thomas returns, Henry leaves, and Maria, humiliated, goes through with her wedding to Mr. Rushworth and leaves for London and Brighton.
Later she runs off with Henry Crawford, and the scandal ruins her. Society turns away from her, and Mrs. Norris goes into exile with her.
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