Best correspondent

CORRESPONDENT

This dear William (Price) would soon be amongst them. There could be no doubt of his obtaining leave of absence immediately, for he was still only a midshipman; and as his parents, from living on the spot, must already have seen him, and be seeing him perhaps daily, his direct holidays might with justice be instantly given to the sister (Fanny Price), who had been his best correspondent through a period of seven years, and the uncle (Sir Thomas Bertram) who had done most for his support and advancement; The Narrator on midshipman William Price, Mansfield Park, Chapter 24

This touching scene of Fanny Price’s anticipation of her reunion with her brother William who has been away at sea in training as a British Naval midshipmen is very apropos on this Thanksgiving holiday, as many family members are anticipating their own happy family reunions.

Fanny is a faithful correspondent with her brother William since her separation from him and their parents seven years ago. Because of Fanny’s anticipation, we understand her loneliness and feel the importance of her family to her. Through this reunion, Jane Austen moralizes that even though the qualities of patience and constancy require delayed gratification, the eventual reward is much sweeter.

Jane Austen and Fanny Price have close family ties to the Royal Navy since both had brothers in it’s service. Learn how the important British Naval port of Portsmouth is prominent in the novel Mansfield Park and in Jane Austen’s life through this excellent article from the Jane Austen Society of Australia.