A character's views on morality and material gain seem to distinguish between being a "good" or a "bad" character in the novel by Austen, Mansfield Park. By performing a character analysis of Lady Bertram, Mary Crawford, and Sir Thomas, one can understand the true didactic purpose of Mansfield Park, especially when the values ​​of these characters contrast with the immaculate morality of Fanny Price. Sir Thomas, for example (despite his already morally questionable slave plantations in Antigua), magnanimously offers to free Maria Bertram, his daughter, from her engagement to the dull but wealthy Rushworth. However, once Maria chooses to remain engaged, the insincerity of Sir Thomas's offer becomes apparent, as he feels "happy to escape the embarrassing evils of such a breakup, the wonder, the reflections, to the reproaches which must accompany it, happy to obtain a marriage which would bring him such an addition of respectability and influence” (Mansfield Park, Ch. 21). Not only is he relieved to avoid the embarrassment that breaking off the engagement would bring, but he is also relieved that the marriage will go ahead because it will bring him influence, power, and money. Thus, Sir Thomas prioritizes material gain over his daughter's happiness. This mentality strikes again when he tries to force the marriage of Fanny and Henry Crawford. When Fanny says she couldn't make Henry happy and would be unhappy for the rest of her life, Sir Thomas responds: Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay » ... I had thought you particularly free from all willfulness, from all vanity... The advantage or disadvantage of your family... never seems to have had a moment's share in your thoughts at this opportunity. How they could benefit... by depriving you of such an opportunity to settle down in life... Fanny, so that you may [never be] addressed by a man half of Mr. Crawford's estate , or a tenth of his merits. » (Mansfield Park, Ch. 32). Sir Thomas does not understand why Fanny would put principles/happiness ahead of material gain, and interprets her refusal as, at best, a bout of ingratitude and, at worst, a temporary fit of hysteria. Viewed with a contemporary eye, this situation can only be seen in Fanny's favor. However, one can only wonder if Fanny putting affection over avarice would actually be considered a selfish act in the Victorian era. Sir Thomas's wife, Lady Bertram, expresses this belief much more clearly than her husband. Lady Bertram, speaking with Fanny, says: "If you were married to such a rich man as Mr. Crawford... you must be aware, Fanny, that it is the duty of every young woman to accept an offer as irreproachable. like this” (Mansfield Park, Ch. 33). Even these two opinions could be dismissed as outdated beliefs of the older generation, but by analyzing Mary Crawford's mindset we begin to wonder if Fanny might be the only one wrong or the only one who has reason. I would say Mary Crawford is the main character used to showcase Fanny's pure morality. Mary Crawford, although clearly intellectually superior to Sir Thomas and Lady Bertram, firmly believes in marriage for money; she is of the opinion that “everyone [should] get married if they can do it right: I don't like it when people throw themselves away; but everyone should marry as soon as he can do it to his advantage” (Mansfield Park, Ch. 4). Mary Crawford seems to be of the opinion that if marriage does not serve the purpose.