Mrs. Grant Character Analysis in Mansfield Park

Mrs. Grant is Dr. Grant’s wife, and the half sister of Mary and Henry. Generally described as likeable, Mrs. Grant caters to her husband’s extravagant food requests and enjoys spending time with Mary, who comes to live with her, and Henry, who visits often. Mrs. Grant likes imagining romantic matches between her half-siblings and the Bertram children. When the young people put on the play, Mrs. Grant plays the role of the Cottager’s Wife.

Mrs. Grant Quotes in Mansfield Park

The Mansfield Park quotes below are all either spoken by Mrs. Grant or refer to Mrs. Grant. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

There is not one in a hundred of either sex who is not taken in when they marry…it is, of all transactions, the one in which people expect most from others, and are least honest themselves… it is a manoeuvring business. I know so many who have married in the full expectation and confidence of some one particular advantage in the connexion, or accomplishment, or good quality in the person, who have found themselves entirely deceived, and been obliged to put up with exactly the reverse.

Related Characters: Mary Crawford (speaker), Mrs. Grant, Henry Crawford

Related Literary Devices:

Page Number and Citation: 30-31

Explanation and Analysis:

Mrs. Grant Character Timeline in Mansfield Park

The timeline below shows where the character Mrs. Grant appears in Mansfield Park. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...Norris’s place as the reverend at Mansfield Park’s parish. He brings with him his wife, Mrs. Grant , and no children. (full context)

...that Dr. Grant is an indulgent eater, which satisfies her. Lady Bertram feels threatened that Mrs. Grant , who is not especially beautiful, has married so well. (full context)

In July, Mrs. Grant wealthy, charming, and attractive half siblings, Henry and Mary Crawford, come to stay with her.... (full context)

Mrs. Grant does, however, worry that Mary, who is used to the excitements of life in London,... (full context)

...bad fruit, which offends Mrs. Norris, who says the tree comes from a good orchard. Mrs. Grant smoothes over the awkward moment by telling Mrs. Norris that Dr. Grant hasn’t even eaten... (full context)

Meanwhile, the rest of the party is still discussing Mr. Rushworth’s landscaping. Mrs. Grant asks Henry if he has any thoughts on the matter, since he has experience in... (full context)

Julia and Mrs. Grant encourage him to share his opinion, and Henry agrees to give it. Mr. Rushworth invites... (full context)

While Mr. Rushworth is out, Mrs. Grant and Mary arrive at Mansfield. The Mansfield residents fill them in about the Sotherton plans.... (full context)

Mrs. Rushworth goes on to invite Mary and Mrs. Grant to Sotherton. Mrs. Grant turns her down, but Mary accepts. Mr. Rushworth then returns with... (full context)

Ultimately, Edmund does not have to stay home, because Mrs. Grant offers to keep Lady Bertram company instead. Everyone is thrilled with this plan, and Mrs.... (full context)

...with both Maria and Julia vying for the seat in the front next to Henry. Mrs. Grant suggests that Julia take the seat, much to her delight and Maria’s discontent. They take... (full context)

...Julia misses him as well, and believes she is Henry’s favorite thanks to hints from Mrs. Grant . Maria, meanwhile, believes that she is the favorite because of Henry’s advances. Henry returns... (full context)

...hint at her feelings to Edmund, but he does not catch on. Edmund mentions that Mrs. Grant believes Henry prefers Julia, and that, though he has not seen any proof of it... (full context)

Mary is likewise happy that Edmund will be playing her love interest. Fanny learns that Mrs. Grant has offered to play the Cottager’s Wife at Mary’s suggestion, so Fanny is safe from... (full context)

...air by complimenting Julia, but quickly becomes distracted by the rehearsals and forgets about it. Mrs. Grant , who had hoped so much that Henry and Julia would end up together, is... (full context)

To Mary, Mrs. Grant wonders if Julia is in love with Henry, and Mary says she thinks both sisters... (full context)

Before the three-act rehearsal, the cast gets news that Mrs. Grant cannot attend because her husband is sick. They are all disappointed, as this means they... (full context)

Fanny goes to the Parsonage every few days, often walking with Mary in Mrs. Grant ’s garden, where Fanny admires the nature. Mary, who is not a great lover of... (full context)

...sitting on a bench and discussing Mr. Rushworth and Maria’s marriage when Edmund appears with Mrs. Grant . Mary tells Fanny she is glad that Tom is gone so she can call... (full context)

...and Edmund flirt, discussing the weather and debating whether it is warm out or not. Mrs. Grant mentions that she had intended to have her cook fix Dr. Grant a turkey on... (full context)

...find Dr. Grant. Dr. Grant invites Edmund to eat with him the next day, and Mrs. Grant invites Fanny as well. Fanny is bashful, but they insist that she accept. Mrs. Grant... (full context)

Back at the house, Lady Bertram asks why Mrs. Grant has invited Fanny. They discuss the fact that Sir Thomas will keep Lady Bertram company.... (full context)

The day before the ball, Fanny decides to go to the Parsonage to consult Mrs. Grant and Mary about her dress. She runs into Mary outside and the two of them... (full context)

The next day, Fanny is in better spirits. She enjoyably discusses the ball with Mrs. Grant and Mary. The house is very quiet without the Bertram children and William, and Fanny... (full context)

The two hug. Mary asks Fanny to write her letters and to look after Mrs. Grant . Fanny agrees, though not too enthusiastically, to the letter writing. She is relieved that... (full context)

Mrs. Grant Character Analysis

Mrs. Grant Quotes in Mansfield Park

Chapter 5 Quotes

Mrs. Grant Character Timeline in Mansfield Park