H2 Literature Paper on Mansfield Park

Ms K's e learning day work

 1)

Quote	FID, Direct Speech(DS) or Indirect Speech (IS)?	Why?	How it contributes to meaning in relation to Duty
Sir Thomas was fully resolved to be the real and consistent patron of the selected child, and Mrs. Norris had not the least intention of being at any expense whatever in her maintenance	FID	"was fully resolved" as opposed to the IS version "Sir Thomas had fully resolved"	Contrast between Sir Thomas' decision to take ownership of his duty and Mrs Norris' lack of "intention" despite having the means already highlights that Sir Thomas' sense of duty to others is stronger than his duty to himself/his comfort, whereas Mrs Norris places herself first -> abandons her duty as an aunt and sister.
. As far as walking, talking, and contriving reached, she was thoroughly benevolent, and nobody knew better how to dictate liberality to others; but her love of money was equal to her love of directing, and she knew quite as well how to save her own as to spend that of her friends.	FID	"Quite well" indicates that they are Mrs Norris' thoughts rather than narrator.	Further reinforces Mrs Norris' wrongdoing of choosing not to share her resources despite having the means to perform her duty, leaving it to Sir Thomas who already has 4 children of his own
“Where shall the child come to first, sister, to you or to us?” “Then she had better come to us,” said Lady Bertram, with the utmost composure. After a short pause Sir Thomas added with dignity, “Yes, let her home be in this house. We will endeavour to do our duty by her, and she will, at least, have the advantage of companions of her own age, and of a regular instructress.”	Direct speech	Quotation marks	Highlights Lady Bertram's lack of in-depth thought. She views this frivolously without as strong a consideration of its impacts as the other 2 characters.
" Very true,” cried Mrs. Norris, “which are both very important considerations; and it will be just the same to Miss Lee whether she has three girls to teach, or only two—there can be no difference. I only wish I could be more useful; but you see I do all in my power. I am not one of those that spare their own trouble; and Nanny shall fetch her, however it may put me to inconvenience to have my chief counsellor away for three days. I suppose, sister, you will put the child in the little white attic, near the old nurseries. It will be much the best place for her, so near Miss Lee, and not far from the girls, and close by the housemaids, who could either of them help to dress her, you know, and take care of her clothes, for I suppose you would not think it fair to expect Ellis to wait on her as well as the others. Indeed, I do not see that you could possibly place her anywhere else.”	Direct speech	Quotation marks	Run-on sentences in direct speech reinforce Mrs Norris' ability to speak instead of act whilst taking the credit for taking both. Her repetition of "poor Mr Norris" after this and interjections make it obvious that this is a deliberate attempt to appear of a poorer state (hence with less means to perform her duty) than she really is in.
“Should her disposition be really bad,” said Sir Thomas, “we must not, for our own children’s sake, continue her in the family; but there is no reason to expect so great an evil. We shall probably see much to wish altered in her, and must prepare ourselves for gross ignorance, some meanness of opinions, and very distressing vulgarity of manner; but these are not incurable faults; nor, I trust, can they be dangerous for her associates.	Direct Speech	Quotation marks	Reflects Sir Thomas' priorities in hierarchy. Within his duty to family and all connected to him, his duty to his immediate family stands above any moral obligation he might feel to Mrs Price or Fanny herself.

2) Introduction

The passage follows Mrs Norris, Sir Thomas and Lady Bertram as they discuss the details of Fanny's guardianship. It follows Mrs Price's request for help from Lady Bertram and precedes Fanny's physical arrival at Mansfield park. Duty is shown through comparisons of the characterization of the way the three characters respond to Mrs Price's request. Lady Bertram treats the matter "with the utmost composure" emphasizing her inability to recognise the gravity of the responsibility as a guardian to Fanny. Mrs Norris' verbal reminders reflects her awareness of what Fanny would need as a ward, reinforcing her large knowledge of the expectations a guardian should have. However, while " nobody knew better how to dictate liberality to others", her insistence of her inability to house Fanny reflects an abandonment  of duty rather than a lack of knowledge. It is Sir Thomas' words which set definitive actions into motion. His "dignity" after considering the repercussions of Fanny's arrival push him to perform what is expected of him to the best of his ability, ultimately leading to the success in Fanny's strong morals by the end of the novel. The fulfilment of the bare minimum is insufficient to ensure results. The importance of Duty in the passage is highlighted by Lady Bertram's inability to perform, Mrs Norris' lack of will to perform and Sir Thomas' resolution to "endeavour to do our duty by her" suggests that true duty arises from selfless rather than self-serving means, as the expectations are to others rather than to onself.

Body Paragraph

Mrs Norris speaks and acts more for herself, rather than for the good of the family. This has detrimental effects on the family, specifically on Maria and Julia. Mrs Norris " had not the least intention of being at any expense whatever in her maintenance". This phrase highlights Mrs Norris' placement of importance on her personal luxury rather than what has been necessitated by Mrs Price's financial situation. The pronoun "had not the least" reinforces the finality with which Mrs Norris puts the possibility of Fanny's residing with her out of her mind. Examples of this increasing of Mrs Norris' presentation of the poor state of her ability to take guardianship arise from it being "quite out of the question" and "totally out of Mrs Norris' power". Mrs Norris proceeds to redeem her refusal to house Fanny by presenting it as a lack of means rather than will. This is done by the repetition of "poor Mr Norris" and "but you see I do all in my power" in contrast to the earlier description of her having enough income from her frugality. Mrs Norris' role as a pseudo-governess to Maria and Julia result in their having vast knowledge of books but no ethics or self-knowledge. Hence, the self-serving nature of her actions leads to the disregard of what is expected of her to do her duty to Fanny and the Family. Her decision, however, is dissimilar to Lady Bertram's lack of performing her duty.