Why 'Mansfield Park' Matters

Verily magazine once published an amusing ranking of Jane Austen men (which I’m unable to dig back up, alas). Mr. Darcy, of course, held up nicely, as did Emma’s Mr. Knightley. Edmund Bertram, of Mansfield Park fame, did not fare well, but despite its main male character’s shortcomings, this Austen novel claims the first spot in my list of her works. Regrettably, this lengthy tale is heartily disliked by many readers, with its uninspiring male characters and a (seemingly) weak leading lady. The supporting characters have significantly more charm but are shallow and immoral.