None of Jane Austen’s novels was a bestseller in her lifetime; yet to her modesty, the relative swiftness with which the first edition of her

sold out was encouragement enough to undertake her most ambitious project so far, the writing of a novel for which she had no earlier blueprint, comprising a wider range of lifestyles, and reflecting more openly her current state of mind and assessment of contemporary society. Although published only one year after

,

(written between February 1811 and the summer of 1813) is more mature in both tone and purport than any of her earlier works: fashioned in a style of flawless versatility and consistent elegance, it is serious and moralising without losing its ironic critical edge. Although…

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Citation: Schneider, Ana-Karina. "Mansfield Park". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 09 January 2008 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=3731, accessed 26 November 2024.]

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