Reading guide · Ages 12+
Mansfield Park
For parents, teachers and book clubs. Free to print and share.
About the story
At ten, Fanny Price leaves her poor, crowded family to be raised by rich relatives at Mansfield Park. Shy and often ignored, she finds a true friend in her cousin Edmund. When the charming Henry and Mary Crawford arrive, everyone's judgment is tested — and quiet Fanny sees most clearly of all.
Before reading
- How might it feel to live with relatives who treat you differently from their own children?
- Can a quiet person be strong?
Discussion questions
- How is Fanny treated at Mansfield Park? Who is kind to her?
- Why are the Bertram family so charmed by the Crawfords?
- Why does Fanny refuse to take part in the play the young people put on?
- Why does Fanny turn down Henry Crawford, even when everyone urges her to accept?
- How do the pictures show Fanny's feelings when she says little?
- What does Edmund learn about Mary Crawford?
Words to know
- Integrity — being honest and having strong principles.
- Dependent — relying on others for support.
- Theatricals — amateur plays performed at home.
- Charm — a pleasing quality that attracts people.
- Principle — a belief that guides how you act.
Activities
- Quiet strength. List three moments when Fanny stands firm. What gave her the courage?
- Two homes. Draw Fanny's family home and Mansfield Park side by side. What does each mean to her?
From graphic-novels.com — the Mansfield Park graphic novel. About the book