Mansfield Park

Wow! What an amazing book! What great felicity I feel in my heart after the happy completion of such a tale.

Yes! I've finally finished the tale of Mansfield Park! And I must say that Jane Austen certainly did not dissappoint!

Much like the hardships and struggles followed by periods of peace, tranquility and joy chronicled through the novel, my reading had its ups and downs! But, alhamdulillah I perservered and finished a book I was skeptical that I may.

And now I'm writing in the style of Jane Austen. How predictable yet how fun!

It was refreshing to read a tale in which morality, perserverance, patience and good character triumph especially in a time when everthing opposite seems to take the limelight.

Fanny is quite a herione. So principled and disciplined and kind and patient. She showed some very Islamic characteristics, mashallah. I'm glad to have read a tale which inspires me to be a better Muslim!

Fanny was first and foremost modest and humble and had a great appreciation and thankfullness to God. She trusted in the advice of her elders and did not questions them even though it pained her to leave her home and everything she knew and loved (particularly her brother William) to live with her Aunt and Uncle Bertram where she would have the chance at a better life.

As soon as she moved in, she was constantly reminded of her inferiority in all respects by her spoiled cousins Maria and Julia and her snotty Aunt Norris. However, she never once lost her temper or sought revenge. She quietly endured and did not try to prove herself better or show even the slightest hint of pride.

She had an intense and disciplined moral code which she strictly abided by. This came up when her cousins and their friends decided to put on a promiscuous play. Everyone got involved, even her apparently moral cousins Edmund after some insistence from others. Even Fanny was constantly pressured into taking part, but she stood strong to her morals and did not participate knowing it would greatly anger her uncle.

Mr. Crawford even noticed her excellent character in the following similie: "and a most fortunate man he is to attach himself to such a creature--to a woman, who firm as a rock in her own principles, has a gentleness of character so well adapted to recommend them" (325).

She always used her mind very carerfully and didn't let whims, ambitions and desires get the better of her. When Mr. Crawford was relentness in his proposals to her she did not give in. She was well aware of his indiscretions and flirtatous, non-commital ways with women and choose to remember his character over everthing else. A less moral, normal girl would have given into his attentions but not Fanny. I was even beginning to think as I read the novel that she should or at least would give into to Mr. Crawford, seeing all that he had going for him but she refused to compromise his greatest fault (that of his character) for any of his lesser strong points.

Remaining humble and never talking to talk (saying how upright she is), she most certainly walked the walk (the much harder of the two) and she was thus liked and respected and treated as a confidante by all.

This reminds me of a hadith (loosely translated): "If you renounce the things of this world, people will love you."

Fanny certainly renounced the things of this world (fame, money, etc.) and earned the love of more better of people in the book (Sir Thomas, Edmund, Lady Bertram, Susan) and even the love of the wretched (Mr. Crawford, Mary Crawford).


She appreciated and remembered God through her interaction with nature.

The book also gave me some insight into the upbringing of children and how greatly it affects their future and how they turn out.

The principal parent in the book was Sir Thomas. He regretted the way he had brought up his children with his harsh regard and the allowance of his Sister-In-Laws constant praise of his daughters. He summed up his regret by recognizing that "They had been instructed theoretically in their religion, but never required to bring it into daily practice."

That struck a nerve with me as we're trying to figure out exactly how to teach Islam to encourage practice of it. Learning the theories does no good. Actions speak louder than words. The Prophet (SAW) taught by example. It's not a difficult concept to grasp. But teaching it and encouraging it to the point of actually seeing results is not as easy.

The possible solutions are perhaps setting high standards, consistenty, and consistent, through example. All thing I seriously need to work on. And throwing some fun and humor in also. Relating to the kids, asking for their feedback and being genuinely concerned for them. Inshallah!