Jane Austen's lesbian narrative in 'Mansfield Park'

What is it about?

The essay investigates the lesbian subplot involving the protagonist of Jane Austen's novel 'Mansfield Park', by reviewing and elucidating its narrative strands, including the discourse on 'improvement' (improvement of nature through gardening etc), Fanny Price's constituent ambivalence and potentially manipulative disposition, Miss Crawford's onmivorousness, and instances of the bawdy humour identified by various Austen scholars.

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Why is it important?

This is the first academic essay to investigate a crucial subplot in one of Austen's most important novels. The essay provides further discussion on Austen's interest in non-normative s exualities and affects, as sources of humour and enlightenment, as plot prompters, and as aids to characterisation.