Henry Crawford is not usually the first character that comes to mind when one is asked to name a Jane Austen villain. George Wickham and John Willoughby are most remembered for their nefarious actions. There are only three months to go until the release of Tea with Austen and my short story, Wooing Miss Woodforde, features Mr Crawford. So, today, let’s explore Austen’s lesser-known villain from Mansfield Park.
Mansfield Park
As with the anthology Austen Tea Party, the brief for the project was to write a historical romance short story featuring characters from Jane Austen and a tea party. Last time, I featured Mrs Jennings from Sense and Sensibility in my short story, Jilted. This time, I wanted to feature one of Austen’s less popular characters. I chose the villain of Mansfield Park, Mr Henry Crawford.
Public Domain
Mansfield Park is one of the lesser read of Austen’s novels; honestly, the characters are not as enthralling. The story’s heroine, impoverished Fanny Price, is sent to live with her rich relatives, the Bertrams, at Mansfield Park. Fanny could be described as prissy, and the hero, her first cousin, Edmund Bertram, is not what I would describe as fascinating.
Some argue that Mansfield Park is Austen’s most complex because it includes the controversial topics of slavery and adultery.
Who was Henry Crawford?
Henry Crawford arrives at Mansfield Park to deliver his sister, Mary, into the care of their half-sister, who is married to the local vicar. Before this, Mary had lived with their uncle, Admiral Crawford, in London. Admiral Crawford causes a scandal when he moves his mistress into his home after the death of his wife, so Mary can no longer remain there.
While at Mansfield Park, Henry Crawford charms all the ladies in residence, except Fanny. Austen describes Henry as unconventionally attractive but portrays him as an accomplished and relentless flirt who loves to be loved.
Fanny is the moral superior of every character in the novel. She is good, kind, and principled (if a little snooty about it). Fanny endures the condescension of her rich relatives and the blatant dislike of her Aunt Norris with grace and fortitude. Her cousins may be taken in by the shallow manipulations of the Crawfords, but Fanny is not. Fanny’s obvious dislike of him perturbs Henry, and he sets out to make her fall in love with him.
“Her looks say, ‘I will not like you, I am determined not to like you’; and I say she shall.”
Henry Crawford, Mansfield Park (1814)
However, the tables are turned when Henry falls in love with Fanny.
Conducted by Mr. Crawford to the top of the room.
Public Domain
Did Henry Truly Love Fanny?
While doing research for my short story, I came across some conflicting arguments about whether Henry Crawford truly loved Fanny, or whether it was just a superficial emotion on his part caused by vanity.
“I never was so long in company with a girl in my life, trying to entertain her, and succeed so ill.”
Henry Crawford, Mansfield Park (1814)
Austen portrays both Henry and Mary Crawford as vibrant, intelligent, witty and alluring, but also morally ambiguous. The Crawfords are charming and manipulative, which Henry displays when first, he approaches Fanny’s uncle to ask for her hand in marriage without telling her, and second when he uses his connections in the Royal Navy to promote Fanny’s brother. Both actions were intended to evoke a sense of gratitude on Fanny’s part.
Fanny resists Henry’s courtship, but after being worn down by both sides of her rich and impoverished family, and the relentless pursuit of Mr Crawford, she accepts his proposal. However, she immediately regrets it and withdraws, leaving Henry fuming. Henry then causes a scandal by running away with Fanny’s married cousin, Mrs Rushworth.
Fanny’s reservations about marrying Crawford are proven to be justified, but some readers, including Austen’s sister, Cassandra, believe that Fanny should have married Henry.
Was Crawford Redeemable?
Well, Austen did not think so, or she would have written it. Don’t forget, we’re talking about the author who created one of fiction’s most beloved heroes—a man forced to address and overcome his failings to win the love of the woman who rejected him. You all know who I mean.
Henry Crawford is a spoiled brat bred for a life of indolence. His own words betray him as a man unused to self-denial and reflection, yet one who envies those with a higher purpose. Some argue if he had displayed patience, courted Fanny gently, and proved his constancy, he may have succeeded. But would his love have lasted?
I don’t think so. I suspect he would have become bored, as he had with everything else and soon moved on to pleasures new.
We don’t know if Henry married after ruining his chances with Fanny. Austen says Henry regretted:
“… her infinitely more when all the bustle of the intrigue was over, and very few months had taught him, by the force of contrast, to place a yet higher value on the sweetness of her temper, the purity of her mind, and the excellence of her principles.”
Mansfield Park (1814)
Have you read Mansfield Park? Do you think Henry truly loved Fanny? Was he in love with the challenge of winning her over because her dislike bruised his ego?
In Wooing Miss Woodforde, Jasper Trevethan, a good-for-nought rake and friend of Henry Crawford, faces a similar dilemma—loving someone so good and conscientious that they would never accept them.
Tea with Austen, featuring my story, Wooing Miss Woodforde, and more exciting tales with Jane Austen’s characters is out on 28th August 2024.
