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Persuasions #2, 1980                                                                                                                                            Page 11

 

TADPOLL

During dinner at Baltimore a poll was conducted by Mr. Tad Mosel. Members were asked to vote on their favourite character in Mansfield Park. The results were as follows:

Mary Crawford 22; Mrs. Norris 18; Fanny 15; Henry Crawford 8; Pug 6; Sir Thomas Bertram, William Price, Susan Price, 5; Edmund, Lady Bertram, Dr. Grant, Mr. Rushworth, Mr. Yates, Tom, Narrator, Julia and Maria, 2; Mrs. Grant, Nannie, Rebecca, Baddeley 1. Mr. and Mrs. Price received no votes.

Reading the above, members may be amused to recall some contemporary opinions solicited by J.A. from her family.

 

Frank Austen: Fanny is a delightful Character! and Aunt Norris is a great favourite of mine …

Edward Knight …Liked the character of Fanny …

Fanny Knight … delighted with Fanny.

Anna Austen … could not bear Fanny.

Mrs. James Austen … Enjoyed Mrs. Norris particularly.

JA’s mother: Thought Fanny insipid. Enjoyed Mrs. Norris.

Cassandra: Fond of Fanny … delighted much in Mr. Rushworth’s stupidity.