Mansfield Park is the estate of Fanny Price's cousins. Her wealth is meager, especially in comparison to theirs, which is why she is met with such disdain when she arrives to lives with them. Dependent upon their kindness, she rarely challenges them, but later grows to become a moral rock for the family in their moment of crisis.
When Mary and Henry Crawford come to visit Mansfield Park, they bring trouble with them. They have traveled from London, bringing their refined tastes and promiscuous dealings. With their outside influence, they break the serenity of Mansfield Park and threaten to doom the family entirely. But Fanny remains steadfast, elegant, and clever, providing the family with the support they need in the trying times.
Proclaimed by some scholars to be Austen's most modern novel, Mansfield Park is certainly her most mature. Written when she was at the peak of her form, it is a unique combination of enchanted setting, lively characters, and well-paced plot that make it one of her most beloved and enduring works.