Chapter 2 Summary

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Fanny arrives with Mrs. Norris at Mansfield Park. Lord Bertram's children are introduced to Fanny. Tom is the eldest son, at seventeen. He has little to do with Fanny in the following days and months except for occasionally teasing her. Edmund, whose goal in life is to become a clergyman, is sixteen. Of the Bertram's four children, Edmund displays the most interest and kindness toward Fanny. Maria is the elder daughter at thirteen. She and her sister Julia, who is twelve, think Fanny is odd. They cannot believe that Fanny has so few clothes, with none of the dresses she owns being very fancy. They also think that Fanny's looks are very plain. As they come to know her, they constantly report to their parents and their aunt, Mrs. Norris, how stupid Fanny is. Fanny has little knowledge of geography or history. She is not able to speak French. She has no interest in music and does not know the difference between crayons and watercolor paint.

Mrs. Norris tries to explain that Maria and Julia should not be too harsh on Fanny. Instead, they should appreciate their own intelligence and understand that not everyone is as gifted as they are. Fanny's memory, in comparison, Mrs. Norris explains to them, merely does not match theirs.

Fanny, in the meantime, is frightened by her new surroundings. The rooms are too big and too numerous for her to feel comfortable. In addition, Fanny misses her family. At home, she was respected by her siblings, both those who were older and younger than she was. She especially misses her older brother, William. When these feelings of loneliness and homesickness overcome her, Fanny retreats to her bedroom to cry. In the first few weeks, Fanny suffers through copious tears.

One day, Edmund happens to see Fanny sitting at the top of the stairs crying. He tries to comfort her, attempting to understand how much she must miss her family. Although he comprehends that she must be lonesome, he asks why she is crying. Fanny confesses that she misses her brother. William had promised to write to her, but he had told her that she must write first. When Edmund asks why she has not done so, Fanny tells him that she has no paper. At this, Edmund finds paper for Fanny and promises that when she is finished writing, he will see to it that her letter is mailed.

Thus, Edmund and Fanny's relationship is begun. Whereas Maria and Julia continue to consider Fanny a second-class citizen, unworthy of the Bertram's social status, particularly in face of Fanny's lack of education, Edmund sees hints of Fanny's cleverness. He encourages her to read and later discusses the books he has given her in order to enhance her understanding of the material.

Sir Thomas observes Fanny's progress from a distance and wins Fanny's favor when he brings William to Mansfield Park for a short visit. Furthermore, Sir Thomas, through his influence in Parliament, secures a position for William in the Navy.

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