Edmund Bertram
Encyclopedia
Edmund Bertram is a major protagonist
in Jane Austen
's 1814 novel
Mansfield Park
. He is Sir Thomas's second son and plans to be ordained as a clergyman.
, an impoverished cousin who has come to live with Edmund's family from her lower middle class home and family in Portsmouth
. Edmund's kindness and generosity to Fanny distinguishes him from the rest of his family, who tend to exploit Fanny's good nature or mock her for her less privileged upbringing. For instance, Edmund's brother Tom would deride Fanny, and his sisters, Maria and Julia, would condescend to give Fanny toys of the least value to them. However, Edmund remains friendly and encouraging to Fanny and she gradually falls in love with him as she grows up.
of the local parish when his uncle died. His father is unable to accommodate him as his elder brother, Thomas Bertram
's extravagance requires his father to sell the living to Dr. Grant to raise some money to pay off Tom's debts. All that remains is a smaller, poorer parish which Edmund is promised. Dr. Grant is high living man and his wife. Mrs. Grant has a half-brother and sister, Henry
and Mary Crawford
. Edmund's father, Sir Thomas and his brother Tom have to travel to the family's estates in Antigua
to settle some problems with the estate. Sir Thomas places Edmund in charge of the English estate in his absence.
Henry and Mary Crawford prove to be a disruptive influence on the Bertram family when they come to stay with their half-sister in the parsonage. They are both wealthy and attractive and both the Bertram sisters both become infatuated with Henry while Edmund falls in love with Mary, even neglecting Fanny sometimes in his attempts to please Mary.
Tom Bertram returns from Antigua before his father but Edmund still seems to be in charge of the estate while Tom amuses himself visiting people and taking part in horse races. When Tom comes up with the plan of putting on a play, Lovers' Vows
at Mansfield Park, both Edmund and Fanny are opposed. Eventually Edmund is persuaded that bringing in a person from another family would be worse than his participating in a rather suggestive scene with Mary as Anhalt to her Amelia. Sir Thomas returns just before the play is due to be staged and is greatly displeased. Edmund admits his culpability and emphasises Fanny's constant opposition to the play.
. He tells Fanny of his love which affects her as she is in love with Edmund. At one point, Edmund even declares to Fanny that Mary was the only lady in the world whom he can think of as a wife. However, Edmund is also greatly upset when he discovers that Mary is opposed to him becoming a clergyman. Mary suggests to Edmund other possible professions. At a ball, Mary informs Edmund that they will never dance again, as she is soon to go away for a time and when she comes back, he will be ordained a clergyman and she never dances with clergymen. When Tom becomes dangerously ill, she rather callously hopes that Edmund will inherit the baronet
cy and estate if his brother dies.
Meanwhile, Mary's brother Henry proposes to Fanny, who declines, both because she thinks him improper, and she is still in love with Edmund. Sir Thomas is infuriated at Fanny's "stupidity" and accuses her of being ungrateful, although he does not know Fanny's reasons for rejecting Henry. Sir Thomas decides to make Fanny experience the relative poverty of her own family in attempt to change her opinion of Mr. Crawford by sending her home to Portsmouth. Fanny then leaves for Portsmouth while Edmund goes to Peterborough
to visit an old acquaintance and become ordained.
In London, Henry Crawford encounters Edmund's sister Maria, who is now married to the wealthy but stupid Mr Rushworth. They elope which brings disgrace and embarrassment on the Rushworths and the Bertrams. On a visit to Mary in London, Edmund finds that Mary is continually justifying her brother's actions and even blames Fanny for causing the situation by declining Henry's proposals. She also declares that if Fanny had not been so stupid and had accepted Henry, he would not have the time to behave in such a manner, and he would also be in too great a state of such felicity to attempt to indulge in lechery. Edmund, enraged at Mary's comments about Fanny, walks out and never returns to her.
Edmund tells Fanny about his disillusionment with Mary's character and she comforts him. Edmund is extremely grieved by what has occurred, but he eventually recovers and realizes that he has always loved Fanny. Sir Thomas gives his approval, and they marry. Edmund is given the parsonage at the nearby village of Thornton Lacey, and he and Fanny move there, shortly afterwards, Dr Grant receives a position in London, leaving the Mansfield parish available for them as well.
Protagonist
A protagonist is the main character of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, or musical narrative, around whom the events of the narrative's plot revolve and with whom the audience is intended to most identify...
in Jane Austen
Jane Austen
Jane Austen was an English novelist whose works of romantic fiction, set among the landed gentry, earned her a place as one of the most widely read writers in English literature, her realism and biting social commentary cementing her historical importance among scholars and critics.Austen lived...
's 1814 novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
Mansfield Park
Mansfield Park
Mansfield Park may mean:* Mansfield Park by Jane Austen* Mansfield Park , based on the novel, directed by Patricia Rozema, starring Frances O'Connor, Embeth Davidtz, and Sheila Gish in 1999...
. He is Sir Thomas's second son and plans to be ordained as a clergyman.
Character
Edmund is a naturally kind and compassionate person, as demonstrated by his conduct toward Fanny PriceFanny Price
Fanny Price is the heroine in Jane Austen's 1814 novel Mansfield Park. Austen describes Fanny Price as "extremely timid and shy, shrinking from notice", and repeatedly reinforces that Fanny is shy, timid, and afraid of everyone and everything....
, an impoverished cousin who has come to live with Edmund's family from her lower middle class home and family in Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
. Edmund's kindness and generosity to Fanny distinguishes him from the rest of his family, who tend to exploit Fanny's good nature or mock her for her less privileged upbringing. For instance, Edmund's brother Tom would deride Fanny, and his sisters, Maria and Julia, would condescend to give Fanny toys of the least value to them. However, Edmund remains friendly and encouraging to Fanny and she gradually falls in love with him as she grows up.
Adult life
Edmund's wishes to become a clergyman, for he is the second son without prospect of inheriting a large fortune. Edmund was to be given the livingBenefice
A benefice is a reward received in exchange for services rendered and as a retainer for future services. The term is now almost obsolete.-Church of England:...
of the local parish when his uncle died. His father is unable to accommodate him as his elder brother, Thomas Bertram
Thomas Bertram
Thomas Bertram is a protagonist in Jane Austen's 1814 novel, Mansfield Park. He is the elder son and heir of Sir Thomas Bertram, a baronet and wealthy landowner in Northamptonshire who also owns an estate in Antigua.-Character:...
's extravagance requires his father to sell the living to Dr. Grant to raise some money to pay off Tom's debts. All that remains is a smaller, poorer parish which Edmund is promised. Dr. Grant is high living man and his wife. Mrs. Grant has a half-brother and sister, Henry
Henry Crawford
Henry Crawford is one of the main characters in Jane Austen's 1814 novel, Mansfield Park. He is depicted as a man who only attempts to amuse himself, and at the end is proven to be a reprobate.-First Arrival to Mansfield Park:...
and Mary Crawford
Mary Crawford (Mansfield Park)
Mary Crawford is an antagonist in Jane Austen's 1814 novel, Mansfield Park.-First Appearance:Mary Crawford is introduced in the fourth chapter of the novel. She comes from London in company with her brother, Henry Crawford, and arrives in the country with urbane airs, tastes, and manners, with a...
. Edmund's father, Sir Thomas and his brother Tom have to travel to the family's estates in Antigua
Antigua
Antigua , also known as Waladli, is an island in the West Indies, in the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region, the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua means "ancient" in Spanish and was named by Christopher Columbus after an icon in Seville Cathedral, Santa Maria de la...
to settle some problems with the estate. Sir Thomas places Edmund in charge of the English estate in his absence.
Henry and Mary Crawford prove to be a disruptive influence on the Bertram family when they come to stay with their half-sister in the parsonage. They are both wealthy and attractive and both the Bertram sisters both become infatuated with Henry while Edmund falls in love with Mary, even neglecting Fanny sometimes in his attempts to please Mary.
Tom Bertram returns from Antigua before his father but Edmund still seems to be in charge of the estate while Tom amuses himself visiting people and taking part in horse races. When Tom comes up with the plan of putting on a play, Lovers' Vows
Lovers' Vows
Lovers' Vows , a play by Elizabeth Inchbald arguably best known now for having been featured in Jane Austen's novel Mansfield Park , is one of at least four adaptations of August von Kotzebue's Das Kind der Liebe , all of which were published between 1798 and 1800...
at Mansfield Park, both Edmund and Fanny are opposed. Eventually Edmund is persuaded that bringing in a person from another family would be worse than his participating in a rather suggestive scene with Mary as Anhalt to her Amelia. Sir Thomas returns just before the play is due to be staged and is greatly displeased. Edmund admits his culpability and emphasises Fanny's constant opposition to the play.
Edmund with Mary
Edmund is infatuated with the beautiful and talented Mary CrawfordMary Crawford (Mansfield Park)
Mary Crawford is an antagonist in Jane Austen's 1814 novel, Mansfield Park.-First Appearance:Mary Crawford is introduced in the fourth chapter of the novel. She comes from London in company with her brother, Henry Crawford, and arrives in the country with urbane airs, tastes, and manners, with a...
. He tells Fanny of his love which affects her as she is in love with Edmund. At one point, Edmund even declares to Fanny that Mary was the only lady in the world whom he can think of as a wife. However, Edmund is also greatly upset when he discovers that Mary is opposed to him becoming a clergyman. Mary suggests to Edmund other possible professions. At a ball, Mary informs Edmund that they will never dance again, as she is soon to go away for a time and when she comes back, he will be ordained a clergyman and she never dances with clergymen. When Tom becomes dangerously ill, she rather callously hopes that Edmund will inherit the baronet
Baronet
A baronet or the rare female equivalent, a baronetess , is the holder of a hereditary baronetcy awarded by the British Crown...
cy and estate if his brother dies.
Meanwhile, Mary's brother Henry proposes to Fanny, who declines, both because she thinks him improper, and she is still in love with Edmund. Sir Thomas is infuriated at Fanny's "stupidity" and accuses her of being ungrateful, although he does not know Fanny's reasons for rejecting Henry. Sir Thomas decides to make Fanny experience the relative poverty of her own family in attempt to change her opinion of Mr. Crawford by sending her home to Portsmouth. Fanny then leaves for Portsmouth while Edmund goes to Peterborough
Peterborough
Peterborough is a cathedral city and unitary authority area in the East of England, with an estimated population of in June 2007. For ceremonial purposes it is in the county of Cambridgeshire. Situated north of London, the city stands on the River Nene which flows into the North Sea...
to visit an old acquaintance and become ordained.
In London, Henry Crawford encounters Edmund's sister Maria, who is now married to the wealthy but stupid Mr Rushworth. They elope which brings disgrace and embarrassment on the Rushworths and the Bertrams. On a visit to Mary in London, Edmund finds that Mary is continually justifying her brother's actions and even blames Fanny for causing the situation by declining Henry's proposals. She also declares that if Fanny had not been so stupid and had accepted Henry, he would not have the time to behave in such a manner, and he would also be in too great a state of such felicity to attempt to indulge in lechery. Edmund, enraged at Mary's comments about Fanny, walks out and never returns to her.
Edmund tells Fanny about his disillusionment with Mary's character and she comforts him. Edmund is extremely grieved by what has occurred, but he eventually recovers and realizes that he has always loved Fanny. Sir Thomas gives his approval, and they marry. Edmund is given the parsonage at the nearby village of Thornton Lacey, and he and Fanny move there, shortly afterwards, Dr Grant receives a position in London, leaving the Mansfield parish available for them as well.
Portrayals
- Alex LoweAlex LoweStuart Alexander "Alex" Lowe , was widely considered one of his generation's finest all-around mountaineers...
as the young Edmund and Nicholas FarrellNicholas FarrellNicholas Farrell is an English stage, film and television actor. His early screen career included the role of Aubrey Montague in the 1981 film Chariots of Fire. In 1983, he starred as Edmund Bertram in a television adaptation of the Jane Austen novel, Mansfield Park...
as the grown Edmund in the 1983 British televisionBritish televisionPublic television broadcasting started in the United Kingdom in 1936, and now has a collection of free and subscription services over a variety of distribution media, through which there are over 480 channelsTaking the base Sky EPG TV Channels. A breakdown is impossible due to a) the number of...
drama serial Mansfield Park (1983 TV serial)Mansfield Park (1983 TV serial)Mansfield Park is a 1983 British television drama serial, made by the BBC, and adapted from Jane Austen's novel of the same name, originally published in 1814. The serial was the first screen adaptation of the novel...
.
- Philip Sarson as the young Edmund and Johnny Lee Miller as the grown Edmund in the 1999 film Mansfield ParkMansfield Park (film)Mansfield Park is a 1999 British romantic comedy-drama film loosely based on Jane Austen's novel of the same name, written and directed by Patricia Rozema. The film differs sharply from the original novel in many respects. For example, the life of Jane Austen is incorporated into the film and the...
.
- Blake RitsonBlake Ritson-Early life:Blake attended the Dolphin School in Reading, Berkshire until 1993, before going to St Paul's School, an independent school for boys in Barnes in West London on an academic scholarship. He then attended the University of Cambridge, where he studied English and Medieval Italian, Dante...
in the 2007 BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
production aired as The Complete Jane Austen (Mansfield Park (2007 TV drama)Mansfield Park (2007 TV drama)Mansfield Park, an adaptation of the classic Jane Austen novel of the same name, premiered on 18 March 2007 on the UK network ITV at 9 p.m., as part of their Jane Austen Season. It was filmed at Newby Hall, North Yorkshire, England. It made its TV debut in Canada on 23 December 2007 and in the...
).