# Maria Bertram — Mansfield Park character guide > Maria Bertram in Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Maria, Mrs. Rushworth, Rushworth, Mrs. Rushworth Maria Bertram, Unhappy Maria **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot The proud, self-possessed elder Bertram daughter, engaged to a rich fool while her heart drifts toward a more dangerous admirer. ## Who they are Maria Bertram is beautiful, accomplished, and conscious of her own consequence, groomed by Mansfield to marry well and by Mrs. Norris to think chiefly of herself. Engaged to the wealthy but dull Mr. Rushworth, she finds her vanity and restlessness stirred by Henry Crawford, whose attentions she accepts while telling herself she is merely amused. Her cool composure masks a willful disregard for others' feelings, and her choices at Sotherton and in the theatricals set the moral tensions of the novel in motion. ## Relationships ### [Fanny Price](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/characters/fanny_price) _family_ Maria is Fanny's older cousin, who is proud and selfish, treating Fanny with disdain and using her as a servant. ### [Fanny Price](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/characters/fanny_price) _family_ Maria is Fanny's older cousin, who is proud and selfish, treating Fanny with disdain and using her as a servant. ### [Fanny Price](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/characters/fanny_price) _family_ Maria is Fanny's older cousin, who is proud and selfish, treating Fanny with disdain and using her as a servant. ## In the story ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/ii) One of Fanny's older cousins; she and Julia treat Fanny with condescension and indifference. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/v) Maria is engaged to Mr. Rushworth but shows confused feelings toward Henry Crawford. She is thought to be the handsomest sister. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/vii) Maria is excluded from a dinner at the Parsonage due to Mr. Rushworth's expected visit, causing her to be sullen and angry. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/viii) Maria is mortified when Julia takes the coveted seat on the barouche-box with Henry Crawford, leaving her in gloom and irritation. She is jealous and struggles to maintain composure. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/ix) Maria is pleased with the attention from Henry Crawford and is teased by Julia about standing near the altar with Mr. Rushworth. ### [The Visit to Sotherton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/x) Maria is discontented and flirts with Henry Crawford, showing disregard for her fiancé Mr. Rushworth. She is eager to explore Sotherton and engage in conversation with Crawford. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xi) Dreads her father's return and the marriage to Mr. Rushworth, hoping for delays. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xii) Maria, engaged to Mr. Rushworth, misses Henry Crawford during his absence and is pleased by his return. She is seen dancing and looking happy, with Mrs. Norris noting her sparkling eyes. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xiii) Supports the theatrical scheme, advocating for a performance rather than a full theatre, and exchanges glances with Edmund about Mary Crawford's involvement. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xiv) Converses in undertones with Henry Crawford and shows satisfaction at Julia's discomfort. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xv) Maria takes a lead role in the play and defends its suitability, showing defiance toward Edmund's concerns. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xvi) Maria is mentioned as one of the authoritative figures pressuring Fanny to act. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xvii) Maria is triumphant in her victory over Edmund and enjoys Henry Crawford's attentions. She is careless of Julia's feelings. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xx) Maria is deeply agitated by Henry Crawford's departure, feeling the agony of his indifference despite his earlier attentions. ### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xxi) Maria marries Mr. Rushworth in a proper wedding, driven by hatred of home and a desire for independence, and departs for Brighton with Julia. ### [Chapter XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xl) Now Mrs. Rushworth; Mary describes her as flustered when Fanny's name was mentioned, but expects her to recover socially. ### [Chapter XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xliii) Referred to as Mrs. Rushworth; Mary Crawford hopes Henry will meet her, which Fanny disapproves of. ### [Chapter XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xlvii) Maria's elopement with Henry Crawford is the subject of discussion; Sir Thomas sees it as a bad thing done in the worst manner, and Mary Crawford criticizes her for sacrificing her situation under the idea of being loved by an indifferent man. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xlviii) Elopes with Henry Crawford, causing family misery and disgrace. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/characters/maria_bertram - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/characters