Previous
Literary Devices
Definition of Allusion
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals, historical events, or philosophical ideas... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to... read full definition
Allusions
Explanation and Analysis—Male Primogeniture:
Male primogeniture is alluded to throughout Mansfield Park as it was the inheritance system in place in England at the time. Male primogeniture worked as follows: a father’s entire fortune would go to his first-born son or, if he did not have a son, it would be passed down to his closest male relative. If men were childless, they would often set money aside for their nephews who were born after the first son so that they were not left with nothing.
Related Themes:
Chapter 9
Explanation and Analysis—The Window Tax:
When the Crawfords and Bertrams visit Mr. Rushworth’s estate and receive a tour from his mother, the narrator makes an allusion to the “window tax”:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Having visited many more rooms than could be supposed to be of any other use than to contribute to the window tax, and find employment for housemaids, “Now,” said Mrs. Rushworth, “we are coming to the chapel, which properly we ought to enter from above, and look down upon; but as we are quite among friends, I will take you in this way, if you will excuse me.”
Related Themes:
Chapter 10
Explanation and Analysis—The Trapped Starling:
Before Maria and Henry decide to jump the gate at Sotherton, Maria mentions to him that she feels restrained like “the starling”:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“You have undoubtedly—and there are situations in which very high spirits would denote insensibility. Your prospects, however, are too fair to justify want of spirits. You have a very smiling scene before you.”
“Do you mean literally or figuratively? Literally I conclude. Yes, certainly, the sun shines and the park looks very cheerful. But unluckily that iron gate, that ha-ha, give me a feeling of restraint and hardship. I cannot get out, as the starling said.”
Related Themes:
Chapter 11
Explanation and Analysis—Napoleonic Wars:
Though Austen steers clear of overtly discussing politics in Mansfield Park, she alludes to the Napoleonic Wars taking place at the time via the inclusion of characters who are in the Navy, specifically Fanny’s brother and father. She also includes a moment when Mary comments on the “heroism” of military members (comparing them, in a somewhat sarcastic way, to people who choose to join the clergy):
Unlock with LitCharts A+“No, my dear Miss Price, and for reasons good. The profession, either navy or army, is its own justification. It has every thing in its favour; heroism, danger, bustle, fashion. Soldiers and sailors are always acceptable in society. Nobody can wonder that men are soldiers and sailors.”
Related Themes:
Chapter 15
Explanation and Analysis—Lovers' Vows:
Near the beginning of the novel, the Bertrams and Crawfords (along with Mr. Yates and Mr. Rushworth) decide to put on a play called Lovers’ Vows. This is an allusion to an actual play written in 1798 by Elizabeth Inchbald that was controversial due to themes related to sex before marriage and children born out of wedlock. Austen likely chose the play for these very reasons, knowing that her readers (at the time she was writing) would be aware of the controversy.
Unlock with LitCharts A+
Related Themes:
Chapter 21
Explanation and Analysis—The Slave Trade:
There are several allusions to the slave trade in Mansfield Park. First, Sir Thomas Bertram’s business in Antigua that takes him away from Mansfield Park early in the novel is undoubtedly tied to plantations worked by enslaved people. Based on the time in which the novel was written, it’s likely that he owned one or more sugar plantations on the island which was, at the time, a British colony.
Unlock with LitCharts A+
Related Themes:
Chapter 40
Explanation and Analysis—Hereditary Honors:
The “Sir” in “Sir Thomas Bertram” (and “Lady” in “Lady Bertram”) is an allusion to the British hereditary honors system, specifically to Sir Thomas’s position as a “baronet.” The British hereditary system (also called the “peerage” system) was a way of differentiating nobility from common people for many generations. Baronet is a unique rank because the title does not make one part of nobility but does place one above knights.
Unlock with LitCharts A+
Related Themes:
