Commentary on Jane Austen's Works

In my Oxford University Press edition (1983) of Jane Austen's works, edited by R. W. Chapman, there is a collection of comments from friends, relations, and others that Jane Austen had gathered and transcribed.

Here are a few:

"We certainly do not think it as a whole equal to P&P--but it has many and great beauties. Fanny is a delightful Character! and Aunt Norris is a great favourite of mine. The Characters are natural and well supported, and many of the dialogues excellent. You need not fear the publication being considered as discreditable to the talents of its author." That from Francis William Austen.

From the brother who was adopted out: "Not so clever as P&P--but pleased with it altogether. Liked the character of Fanny. Admired the Portsmouth scene."

Here are more family opinions: "Edward and George [Knight]--Not liked it near so well as P&P; Edward admired Fanny, George disliked her. George interested by nobody but Mary Crawford. Edward pleased with Henry C; Edmund objected to, as cold and formal. Henry C.'s going off with Mrs. Rushworth at such a time, when so much in love with Fanny, thought unnatural by Edward."

Fanny Knight, one of Jane Austen's favorite young relatives, thought: "Liked it, in many parts, very much indeed, delighted with Fanny; but not satisfied with the end--wanting more Love between her and Edmund--and could not think it natural that Edmund should be so much attached to a woman without Principle like Mary C.--or promote Fanny's marrying Henry."

Here are some opinions that one would expect to hear:

"Mr. Edgerton the publisher praised it for its Morality, and for being so equal a composition--No weak parts."

Mrs. Carrick: "All who think deeply and feel much will give the Preference to Mansfield Park."

Lady Rob: Kerr: "You may be assured I read every line with the greatest interest and am more delighted with it than my humble pen can express. The excellent delineation of Character, sound sense, Elegant Language and the pure morality with which it abounds, makes it a most desirable as well as useful work, and reflects the highest honour, etc, etc--Universally admired in Edinburgh, by all the wise ones--Indeed, I have not heard a single fault given to it."

Then there's Mrs. Pole: "There is a particular satisfaction in reading all Miss A--s works--they are so evidently written by a Gentlewoman--most Novelists fail and betray themselves in attempting to describe familiar scenes in high Life, some little vulgarism escapes and shews that they are experimentally acquainted with what they describe, but here it is quite different. Everything is natural, and the situations and incidents are told in a manner which clearly evinces the Writer to belong to the Society whose Manners she so ably delineates."

Of the 39 opinions recorded, 12 of them preferred Pride and Prejudice; I think 3 preferred Mansfield Park to P&P or S&S. Many thought it as good, or were ambivalent.

Most liked Fanny, not many liked Edmund. One thought Henry's eloping good, more thought it unnatural. Several liked the Portsmouth scenes. At least half loved Aunt Norris; "Mrs. Anna Harwood delighted with Mrs. Norris and the Green Curtain," and Mrs. Cook "wished for a good Matronly Character."

Miss Sharpe: "I think it excellent--and of its good sense and moral Tendency there can be no doubt. Your Characters are drawn to the Life, so very, very natural and just--but as you beg me to be perfectly honest, I must confess I prefer P&P."

Plenty of others show an interest in the comedy, and responded to the artistry of the characters, but no one seemed to feel that Fanny and Edmund were a great match. Those who liked MP all talk of its morality and good sense.

Then, of course, there is an opinion of the sort that never lets a writer get above herself: "Mrs. Augusta Bramstone owned that she thought S&S and P&P downright nonsense, but expected to like MP better, and having finished the first volume, flattered herself she had got through the worst."