Mansfield Park: Chapter 3 Summary & Analysis

Mr. Norris dies when Fanny is fifteen, and, as a result, Mrs. Norris moves to a smaller house. She is not especially aggrieved by her husband’s death, but regrets the smaller income she will receive now that he is dead. Dr. Grant takes Mr. Norris’s place as the reverend at Mansfield Park’s parish. He brings with him his wife, Mrs. Grant, and no children.

Edmund is supposed to be entitled to inherit his uncle’s wealth upon his death. However, Tom, who has a gambling habit, needs to pay back his debts, and Edmund uses his inheritance for that purpose. Sir Thomas feels that Tom has wronged Edmund by robbing him of part of his inheritance. Tom feels somewhat remorseful, but quickly rationalizes his poor decisions.

Now that Mr. Norris is dead, Sir Thomas expects that Mrs. Norris will take Fanny into her household, desiring company. Lady Bertram, hearing Sir Thomas’s musings, tells Fanny. Fanny finds the idea very distressing, and discusses it with Edmund, who soothes her.

Ultimately, Fanny’s fears turn out to be unnecessary, because Mrs. Norris intends to do everything she can to avoid taking Fanny in. She tells Sir Thomas that the White House, where she lives, is too small for another person since she must have an extra bedroom for guests, and that due to her grief and her reduced income, she is utterly incapable of caring for Fanny. She says she is trying to put money away for Lady Bertram’s children to inherit one day.

Sir Thomas is perplexed, since Mrs. Norris indicated otherwise when they first discussed adopting their niece. However, he believes Mrs. Norris when she insists it is for the good of his children that she saves an inheritance, and is content to continue hosting his niece. Fanny learns that plans to move her to the White House are off, much to her happiness. Mrs. Norris completes her move into the White House and the Grants move into the parsonage.

The Grants are extremely friendly, pleasant people, prompting Mrs. Norris to make it her mission to find out their faults. She learns that Dr. Grant is an indulgent eater, which satisfies her. Lady Bertram feels threatened that Mrs. Grant, who is not especially beautiful, has married so well.

Sir Thomas, needing to settle business matters in Antigua, decides to go there himself, and takes Tom with him in an attempt to set the young man straight. They leave England for what they anticipate will be a year. Sir Thomas is sad to leave his family, and concerned about leaving his daughters in the less-than-attentive hands of Lady Bertram.

Lady Bertram is displeased that her husband is leaving, but, because she is so self-centered, is not especially concerned for his safety. Julia and Maria are not sad whatsoever, and instead are excited to benefit from the looser oversight of their mother.

Fanny, likewise, is happy that Sir Thomas is leaving, but feels bad about then. Then Sir Thomas says something critical of her, and his coldness prevents Fanny from feeling too bad.