Manners vs. Morality Theme Analysis

Throughout Mansfield Park, Austen explores the complex relationship between manners and morality. Austen’s view of manners is difficult to identify, in part because Austen’s characters do not clearly define what they mean when they refer to “manners.” The meaning of manners in the book seems to be somewhat fluid, sometimes referring to knowledge of etiquette, sometimes to general politeness, sometimes to modesty, or gratitude, or pleasantness of personality, or social grace. Looked at more generally, the concept of manners in Mansfield Park refers to a series of expectations of a character’s social conduct.

At the book’s beginning, good manners, though highly valued at Mansfield Park, do not seem to correspond to good morals. For example, although Mrs. Norris and Sir Thomas congratulate themselves on their supposed moral goodness when they take Fanny in, Austen damningly portrays their “kindness” as a way to make them feel and look generous rather than actual generosity for Fanny’s benefit. Fanny’s initial arrival at Mansfield Park reveals this dissonance, when ten-year old Fanny expresses intense anxiety and fear about her new home. Rather than recognizing Fanny’s unhappiness and trying to make her more comfortable, Mrs. Norris remarks that Fanny’s response is ungrateful and rude. Mrs. Norris then continually uses the idea of good manners, and Fanny’s failure to show them, as an excuse to criticize and demean her. From the very first chapters of Mansfield Park, then, Austen betrays the discrepancy between good manners and genuine morality.

As Fanny grows older, unlike the other characters, she does not deviate from her strong set of moral principles, even when it means that she appears ill mannered or contrarian. Throughout the novel, whenever Fanny resists something that contradicts her moral compass but that other people approve of, Mrs. Norris harshly reminds Fanny that she should be grateful to her uncle for providing for her and so do whatever the Bertrams want. For example, when Fanny refuses to act in the play because the text’s questionable moral undertones, despite the fact that all the other young people are taking part, Mrs. Norris harangues her for her refusal. As for Fanny, she recognizes when other characters mask their immorality with good manners. Early on, she disdains Mary Crawford’s behavior when Mary speaks ungratefully and disrespectfully of her uncle the Admiral, identifying Mary’s comments, which Edmund waves off as mere affectation, as indicative of bad character. Moreover, Fanny refuses to marry Henry, despite everyone else’s support, because she believes that, despite his charm and superficial kindness, he does not have good values—an impulse that turns out to be correct.

Curiously, it’s Fanny’s strict sense of propriety, which the novel seems to suggest is Fanny’s best character trait, that makes Fanny such an unlikeable protagonist to many readers (Austen’s own mother referred to Fanny as “insipid”). If this unlikeability is intentional, it may be Austen’s way of emphasizing that Fanny will not compromise on her morality for the sake of being liked by anyone— not even the reader.

As the novel progresses, Fanny begins to be explicitly frustrated by good manners, which so often hide immorality, and which often keep her from connecting with other people. At Mansfield, the rules of society prevent her from, for example, joining in social events above her class, or comforting Julia after Henry’s rejection. By the time Fanny goes to visit Portsmouth towards the end of the book, she looks forward to relief from the strict rules of manners. The narrator, after describing how her sisters did not greet her with proper manners when she arrives, states, “But manner Fanny did not want. Would they but love her, she should be satisfied.”

However, as Fanny spends more time at her childhood home, she begins to see that their looser understanding of manners does not necessarily correlate to genuine morality or closer relationships. Fanny, in fact, starts to see the value of good manners, and longs for the quietness and respect of a household where manners are valued. She fails to develop meaningful relationships with her mother and most of her siblings despite the lack of structure and behavioral expectations in the house. While at Mansfield manners don’t necessarily result in morality or human connection, neither does the lack of manners at Portsmouth. Ultimately, when Fanny returns to Mansfield Park, she is happy to rejoin a household where manners are appreciated.

By the book’s end, Fanny has elevated herself to an equal place in the Bertram household, and her own volition in choosing a moral path is more respected. Through this exploration of Fanny’s developing sense of the relationship between manners and morality, Austen expresses her criticism of 19th century obsession with manners. Ultimately, the novel seems to indicate that, although good manners do not necessarily correspond to good morals, neither does their absence. Through Fanny, who moves beyond overly strict rules of manners while maintaining her commitment to treating others well, the novel suggests following one’s own moral compass, in spite of social expectations, is essential to being a good person.