A Tempting Offer

True moral integrity comes from within.

1814

Introduction

Henry Crawford has decided it would be fun to break Fanny Price’s heart by making her fall in love with him. He thinks that Fanny, whose life is guided by strict principle, will jump at the chance to mould someone in her own image — thereby revealing how little he understands of principle, or of Fanny.

by Jane Austen 1775-1817

abridged

Henry Crawford is speaking to Fanny Price.

“IS there anything I can do for you in town? I have half an idea of going into Norfolk again soon. I am not satisfied about Maddison. I am sure he still means to impose on me if possible, and get a cousin of his own into a certain mill, which I design for somebody else.

“The mischief such a man does on an estate, both as to the credit of his employer and the welfare of the poor, is inconceivable. It would be worse than simple to let him give me a hard-hearted, griping fellow for a tenant, instead of an honest man, to whom I have given half a promise already. Shall I go? Do you advise it?”

“I advise! You know very well what is right.”

“Yes. When you give me your opinion, I always know what is right. Your judgment is my rule of right.”

“Oh, no! do not say so. We have all a better guide in ourselves, if we would attend to it, than any other person can be. Good-bye; I wish you a pleasant journey to-morrow.”

by Jane Austen 1775-1817

abridged

Abridged from Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (1775-1817).

Précis

Henry Crawford thought Fanny Price, so upright and principled, would be flattered to be asked to act as his conscience. But to his surprise, she was horrified at the idea of exercising so much power over another person, and having urged him to take responsibility for his own decisions, left him as quickly as she could.

Questions for Critics

1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?

2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate her ideas more effectively?

3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?

Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.

Sevens

Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.

How did Mr Crawford’s estate manager, Maddison, worry him?

Jigsaws

Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.

Henry Crawford owned a mill. Two people wanted to rent it. Henry asked Fanny’s advice.