Mrs. Norris Character Analysis in Mansfield Park

Mrs. Norris is Fanny’s aunt and primary source of unhappiness. She is essentially a self-centered, self-righteous, superficial, dramatic, money-grubbing, manipulative bully, and Austen portrays her with a biting irony that often renders Mrs. Norris comedic, as her actions are generally petty and hypocritical without her awareness of it. Mrs. Norris’s hilarious awfulness also has real repercussions for others, however. She can often be seen exploiting people for financial or social gain, and the way she treats Fanny is often shockingly cruel and borders on psychological abuse, despite Mrs. Norris having been the first to suggest taking Fanny in. While she neglects Fanny, Mrs. Norris dotes on and spoils Maria. At the book’s end, Mrs. Norris moves far away to live with the disgraced Maria.

Mrs. Norris Quotes in Mansfield Park

The Mansfield Park quotes below are all either spoken by Mrs. Norris or refer to Mrs. Norris. 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 will be some difficulty in our way, Mrs. Norris…as to the distinction proper to be made between the girls as they grow up… how, without depressing her spirits too far, to make her remember that she is not a Miss Bertram… they cannot be equals. Their rank, fortune, rights, and expectations will always be different.

Related Characters: (speaker), ,

Page Number and Citation: 6

Explanation and Analysis:

In this quote, Sir Thomas discusses with Mrs. Norris the possibility of adopting Fanny. They air the potential problems that might arise from such an arrangement, and Sir Thomas expresses his concern that Fanny or Maria and Julia might forget her status and think that Fanny is as high-class as Sir Thomas’s own daughters.

Sir Thomas’s insistence that his daughters and Fanny “cannot be equals” speaks to his anxiety about maintaining class distinctions. Sir Thomas insists that “their rank, fortune, rights, and expectations will always be different,” showing how he believes the class system to be static, and without the potential for change or upward mobility. Sir Thomas and Mrs. Norris’s obsession with class distinctions is part of why Fanny goes unloved and neglected for so much of the book—it’s merely what’s “proper” to treat her as less valuable than the Bertram girls, in an early sign of how good manners can hide (or even encourage) cruelty. For despite Sir Thomas’s concern not to “depress her spirits too far,” Mrs. Norris verbally abuses Fanny, constantly reminding her of her lower class, and Fanny can never feel totally comfortable in the house. Sir Thomas’s early preoccupation with ensuring that they maintain a difference between his daughters and Fanny wears away over the course of the book, however, as Sir Thomas begins to value Fanny’s good character above her class, and the class system itself is revealed to be arbitrary and unfair.

“I am quite ashamed of you, Fanny, to make such a difficulty of obliging your cousins in a trifle of this sort— so kind as they are to you! Take the part with a good grace, and let us hear no more of the matter, I entreat.”
“Do not urge her, madam,” said Edmund…
“I am not going to urge her,” replied Mrs. Norris sharply; “but I shall think her a very obstinate, ungrateful girl, if she does not do what her aunt and cousins wish her— very ungrateful, indeed, considering who and what she is.”

Related Characters: Edmund Bertram (speaker), Mrs. Norris (speaker), Fanny Price

Related Literary Devices:

Page Number and Citation: 100

Explanation and Analysis:

Mrs. Norris Character Timeline in Mansfield Park

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

...Sir Thomas Bertram, thus enjoying a large income and becoming Lady Bertram. Another sister became Mrs. Norris when she married Reverend Mr. Norris, who earned only a small income. The last sister... (full context)

...terms between the sisters, and they send Mrs. Price baby linens, advice, money, and letters. Mrs. Norris decides that someone should take care of Mrs. Price’s oldest daughter and thus relieve Mrs.... (full context)

...is not so keen on this plan, recognizing the commitment and investment it would require. Mrs. Norris , however, implies that she would bear the brunt of the burden, suggesting that Sir... (full context)

Mrs. Norris also guesses that Sir Thomas might be worried about a romantic affair between one of... (full context)

The narrator describes Mrs. Norris ’s self-righteous flakiness and miserliness, discussing how she often makes plans to be generous and... (full context)

Mrs. Norris writes to Mrs. Price the next day, and arranges to have her servant, Nanny, fetch... (full context)

Fanny, who is frightened, homesick, and tired, is quiet and avoids eye contact. Mrs. Norris scolds Fanny for being insufficiently grateful, leaving Fanny feeling uncomfortable and guilty. She begins to... (full context)

Sir Thomas and Mrs. Norris are satisfied with their scheme to adopt Fanny. However, Fanny’s education is somewhat difficult, because... (full context)

Mr. Norris dies when Fanny is fifteen, and, as a result, Mrs. Norris moves to a smaller house. She is not especially aggrieved by her husband’s death, but... (full context)

Now that Mr. Norris is dead, Sir Thomas expects that Mrs. Norris will take Fanny into her household, desiring company. Lady Bertram, hearing Sir Thomas’s musings, tells... (full context)

Ultimately, Fanny’s fears turn out to be unnecessary, because Mrs. Norris intends to do everything she can to avoid taking Fanny in. She tells Sir Thomas... (full context)

Sir Thomas is perplexed, since Mrs. Norris indicated otherwise when they first discussed adopting their niece. However, he believes Mrs. Norris when... (full context)

The Grants are extremely friendly, pleasant people, prompting Mrs. Norris to make it her mission to find out their faults. She learns that Dr. Grant... (full context)

Mrs. Norris indulges in obsessive, neurotic fantasies of the men’s journey resulting in disaster. She pictures herself... (full context)

Winter passes without incident. Mrs. Norris pays lots of attention to Maria and Julia, who have blossomed into young women renowned... (full context)

Unlike Mrs. Norris , who takes a great interest in the girls’ social engagements, Lady Bertram is too... (full context)

...As a result, Fanny feels her health suffering from lack of exercise. Lady Bertram and Mrs. Norris tell Fanny to ride Maria or Julia’s horses when they do not want them, but... (full context)

...sees that Fanny has no opportunities to ride, he insists that Fanny get a horse. Mrs. Norris , ever frugal and mean, believes that Fanny owning her own horse would be improper... (full context)

...Tom arrives back in England and reports that Sir Thomas is in good health, but Mrs. Norris , ever dramatic, returns to her obsessive worrying and fatalist fantasies. (full context)

Once social events start up again, Mrs. Norris becomes preoccupied with marrying off Maria. Mr. Rushworth, a rich man, is courting her. Maria,... (full context)

To this end, Mrs. Norris befriends Mr. Rushworth’s mother. Mrs. Rushworth is also in favor of the match, and the... (full context)

Mrs. Norris praises Mr. Rushworth’s wealth, commenting that she imagines he will spare no expense. She then... (full context)

...Rushworth invites him to come to Sotherton to take a look at the place, and Mrs. Norris suggests that they all go, saying they can either dine at Sotherton or back at... (full context)

...sullen. Edmund finds Fanny lying on the sofa at the other end of the room. Mrs. Norris then scolds Fanny for lying down instead of doing work. Edmund perceives that Fanny looks... (full context)

Mrs. Norris explains that Fanny went out to cut roses for Lady Bertram while Lady Bertram sat... (full context)

Mrs. Norris defends herself, saying she makes the same walk all the time. Edmund responds by pointing... (full context)

Finally Mrs. Norris steps in, and tells Mrs. Rushworth that the exhaustion of traveling would be overwhelming for... (full context)

Edmund goes into the breakfast room, where Mrs. Norris worries about if there is enough space in Henry’s barouche (a kind of carriage). The... (full context)

Edmund offers to stay at home in Fanny’s place, prompting an outcry from the others. Mrs. Norris objects that she has already told Mrs. Rushworth that Fanny will not be going. Edmund... (full context)

...Grant offers to keep Lady Bertram company instead. Everyone is thrilled with this plan, and Mrs. Norris claims to have been about to suggest it just before Mrs. Grant proposed it. (full context)

...She points out the land that Mr. Rushworth owns to Mary, bragging about his property. Mrs. Norris also delights in Mr. Rushworth’s wealth, and even Fanny compliments it. Maria is giddy with... (full context)

...Fanny show up close to the gate, sticking together in a group. Lastly, Mrs. Rushworth, Mrs. Norris , and Julia are far behind. (full context)

On their way back toward the house, they run into Mrs. Rushworth and Mrs. Norris , who are just arriving to the woods. Mrs. Norris has enjoyed her time at... (full context)

...have dinner together, and then everyone loads back into the carriage for the drive back. Mrs. Norris settles in with all her gifts from Mrs. Rushworth and her staff. Henry suggests that... (full context)

As they drive away, Mrs. Norris comments that it was a good day for Fanny, and that she expects her to... (full context)

...singers, and asks them to play again. This leaves Fanny alone at the window until Mrs. Norris scolds her away, warning her that she’ll catch a cold. (full context)

Fanny overhears Mrs. Rushworth and Mrs. Norris discussing Julia and Henry one night at a ball, which happens to be Fanny’s first.... (full context)

...up with you.” Fanny declines, and Tom says he is glad because he’s very tired. Mrs. Norris asks Tom to join them in playing cards to entertain Mrs. Rushworth. Tom, who is... (full context)

...do is try to persuade Maria and Julia not to take part. Fanny suggests that Mrs. Norris might side with him. Edmund agrees, but doubts that she could convince Tom, Maria, and... (full context)

...theatre as well. Edmund, now knowing that Mary approves of the play, softens his resolve. Mrs. Norris turns out to support the play as well, and so the project moves forward. (full context)

...Maria tells him she is Agatha and Mary is Amelia. Edmund turns to sit near Mrs. Norris , Lady Bertram, and Fanny at the fire. Mr. Rushworth tells him that he has... (full context)

Mrs. Norris agrees with Maria, and says they should not waste money on a new set. She... (full context)

At dinner, Mrs. Norris once again tells her story about the servant. They don’t discuss the play much, because... (full context)

...saying she is sure that Lady Bertram is tired of all their discussion, along with Mrs. Norris , Fanny, and Edmund. Lady Bertram says something pleasant in response, but Edmund says nothing. (full context)

...since he is also a clergyman, and Edmund declines. Mary, embarrassed, goes to talk to Mrs. Norris . (full context)

...Tom insists, but Fanny thoroughly objects, and they go back and forth while Edmund watches. Mrs. Norris tells Fanny that she is ashamed of her because she will not help her cousins.... (full context)

...scruples is pure jealousy over Mary. Toward Edmund, however, they do not rub it in. Mrs. Norris offers to make Edmund’s costume, Mr. Yates tells him Anhalt is a good part, and... (full context)

...this messy situation, but they do not discuss the matter. Neither Edmund, nor Tom, nor Mrs. Norris notices Julia’s distress because they are so distracted by the play. (full context)

Fanny helps Mrs. Norris with the needlework as well, and Mrs. Norris, as usual, criticizes her constantly. Fanny nervously... (full context)

...firm handshake. Lady Bertram is very happy to see her husband despite her sluggishness, while Mrs. Norris is upset that she was not the one to announce his arrival, and plies him... (full context)

...except for Fanny. Sir Thomas accepts his apology. Sir Thomas is, however extremely vexed that Mrs. Norris allowed the play to take place. She, not knowing how to handle it, derails the... (full context)

...Mr. Yates leaves as well. Sir Thomas is thrilled, because he loathes Mr. Yates. Finally, Mrs. Norris removes the theatre curtain she made. (full context)

...also worries about the pain of having to watch the flirtation between Mary and Edmund. Mrs. Norris , as usual, tries to make Fanny feel like she does not deserve to go,... (full context)

Mrs. Norris adds that, if it rains that night, Fanny should not expect them to send the... (full context)

...stay. At night, William tells exciting stories about his life in the navy that scare Mrs. Norris and Lady Bertram, but excite Henry’s sense of adventure and make him feel that his... (full context)

Mrs. Norris , catching on the topic of Sotherton, tells William that Maria and Mr. Rushworth are... (full context)

At last, the event ends and the Bertrams return home with the Prices and Mrs. Norris . As they are leaving, Henry seizes the shawl Edmund was about to put around... (full context)

...that he has never seen Fanny dance, decides to throw a ball before William leaves. Mrs. Norris suggests instead a ball when Maria and Julia return at Christmas, but Sir Thomas rejects... (full context)

...where everyone is waiting for the guests to arrive. Everyone says Fanny looks nice, though Mrs. Norris manages to be mean about it. Edmund tells her to reserve two dances for him. (full context)

...Fanny, decides to say something about her to him. Mary schmoozes with Lady Bertram and Mrs. Norris as well. (full context)

Mrs. Norris and Lady Bertram discuss the promotion, on which Mrs. Norris’s thoughts are money-focused as usual,... (full context)

...fire going despite the cold. Sir Thomas insists that she must have a fire, despite Mrs. Norris ’s stinginess. (full context)

When Fanny sees Mrs. Norris at dinner, Mrs. Norris criticizes her for not telling her she was going out so... (full context)

Sir Thomas ends up telling Lady Bertram and Mrs. Norris what has happened, but even Mrs. Norris does not harass Fanny about it. She is... (full context)

...Sir Thomas, however, tells Lady Bertram that she should think of it as a sacrifice. Mrs. Norris says that no one will miss Fanny anyway. Lady Bertram finally is convinced that Fanny... (full context)

Mrs. Norris is upset when Sir Thomas gives William money for the trip, unhappy to see someone... (full context)

Mrs. Norris is extraordinarily disturbed by Maria’s scandal and the general disruption in the house due to... (full context)

...so), Maria returns to Mansfield and the family wonders what exactly to do with her. Mrs. Norris blames Fanny for Maria’s downfall, an accusation that Sir Thomas rejects. Mrs. Norris and Maria... (full context)

Mrs. Norris Character Analysis

Mrs. Norris Quotes in Mansfield Park

Chapter 1 Quotes

Chapter 15 Quotes

Mrs. Norris Character Timeline in Mansfield Park