# Mary Crawford — Mansfield Park character guide > Mary Crawford in Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Miss Crawford, Crawford, dear Mary, little Mary, Poor Mary **First appearance:** 0014-xv ## Snapshot A sparkling, worldly young woman newly arrived in the neighborhood, whose wit and charm captivate Edmund while her casual morals quietly unsettle Fanny. ## Who they are Mary brings London polish and easy confidence to a country parish, and her attentions to Edmund are genuine even as her values remain flexible. She cannot see why a clergyman's profession should be respected, and she treats marriage as a matter of fortune and convenience. Her charm makes her hard to dislike and harder to trust, and her influence tests Edmund's principles at their weakest point. ## Relationships ### [Fanny Price](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/characters/fanny_price) _friendship_ Mary Crawford is a charming but worldly woman who befriends Fanny, though Fanny is wary of her manipulative and immoral tendencies. ### [Fanny Price](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/characters/fanny_price) _friendship_ Mary Crawford is a charming but worldly woman who befriends Fanny, though Fanny is wary of her manipulative and immoral tendencies. ### [Fanny Price](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/characters/fanny_price) _friendship_ Mary Crawford is a charming but worldly woman who befriends Fanny, though Fanny is wary of her manipulative and immoral tendencies. ## In the story ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/iv) Arrives at Mansfield with her brother, openly seeking a wealthy marriage and showing a worldly, pragmatic view of matrimony. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/v) Mary Crawford is lively and observant, charming the Bertram sisters. She questions Fanny's status as 'out' and engages in a discussion about female manners. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/vi) Miss Crawford takes her place at dinner, expecting Edmund's absence to make the meal dull, and engages in conversation about the navy, revealing her disdain for the profession. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/vii) Mary is praised for her beauty, wit, and harp-playing; her impropriety regarding her uncle is noted, and she enjoys riding and outings with the Bertram siblings. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/viii) Miss Crawford is invited to join the Sotherton party and accepts. She is lively and observant of people rather than nature, and she shares a moment of unity with Fanny when they both look back for Edmund. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/ix) Mary listens civilly to the house tour but is more engaged with Edmund; she is visibly distressed upon learning Edmund plans to be a clergyman. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xi) Teases Edmund about his father's return and his taking orders, and criticizes Dr. Grant's temper before joining the glee. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xii) Mary Crawford realizes she prefers Edmund over Tom Bertram after comparing them during Tom's absence. She is vexed by this realization and no longer wishes to marry the elder brother. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xiii) Sends a message through Henry Crawford, expressing her love and desire to join the theatrical company. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xv) Mary takes the part of Amelia and shows kindness to Fanny, defending her against Mrs. Norris's criticism and engaging her in conversation. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xvi) Mary Crawford is mentioned as having protected Fanny from the pressure and as being unwilling to act with a stranger. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xvii) Mary Crawford looks lovely and cheerful, and her influence over Edmund is evident. She coldly remarks on the Bertram sisters' feelings for Henry. ### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xviii) Rehearses with Edmund, displaying pleasure and animation at being thrown together with him. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xxii) Mary is delighted by Fanny's visit on a rainy day, plays the harp for her, and engages in a debate with Edmund about wealth, honesty, and social distinction. ### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xxiii) Vexed by Edmund's imminent ordination, feels her influence has failed, and resolves to match his coolness with indifference; she soothes herself with music. ### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xxiv) Skeptical of Henry's intentions, warns him not to hurt Fanny's feelings. ### [Chapter XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xxv) Mary Crawford praises Henry's improvements at Sotherton and is discomposed by Sir Thomas's remarks about Thornton Lacey becoming Edmund's home, realizing she would not see him every day. ### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xxvi) Mary gives Fanny a necklace that was originally Henry's gift, pressing her to accept it with affectionate persistence. ### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xxvii) Mary Crawford is discussed by Edmund, who is troubled by her playful but seemingly wrong opinions; she agrees to dance with Edmund but says it will be the last time. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xxviii) Mary teases Fanny about Henry's trip to town and praises Fanny to Sir Thomas, though her comments cause Fanny discomfort. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xxix) Finds Edmund's absence tedious and vexing; questions Fanny about Edmund's possible interest in the Miss Owens. ### [Henry Crawford's Declaration](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xxx) Initially astonished but quickly approves of Henry's choice, discussing the social advantages of the match. ### [Chapter XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xxxi) Implied through Fanny's thoughts as part of the Crawfords' mysterious intentions; her note to Fanny suggests she believes Henry's attachment is serious. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xxxv) Mary Crawford is mentioned indirectly as Edmund's thoughts return to her cheerfully after speaking of matrimonial happiness. ### [Chapter XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xxxvi) Bids Fanny an affectionate goodbye, extracts a promise of correspondence, and later visits Mansfield Park to confront Fanny alone, reminiscing about the theatrical rehearsal. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xxxvii) Mary Crawford is now the chief source of Fanny's discomfort, as Fanny believes Mary is likely to marry Edmund. ### [Chapter XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xl) Writes a long letter to Fanny from London, describing Henry's absence, Julia's and Maria's social engagements, and Edmund's slow progress. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xlii) Mary is mentioned as the recipient of Fanny's love and as someone who would help bring Fanny back to Mansfield if needed. ### [Chapter XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xliii) Writes a letter to Fanny describing Henry's visit and her own social life; speaks of Edmund only in terms of his appearance, disappointing Fanny. ### [Chapter XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xliv) Described in Edmund's letter as altered in London, in high spirits, and influenced by the Frasers; Edmund believes she still has regard for him but fears her habits of wealth. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xlv) Mary writes a letter to Fanny inquiring about Tom Bertram's health and expressing hope that Edmund might become Sir Edmund, revealing her selfish and calculating nature. ### [Chapter XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xlvi) Mary Crawford writes a cryptic letter to Fanny about a scandalous rumor involving Henry, urging secrecy. ### [Chapter XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/chapters/xlvii) Mary Crawford is reported by Edmund to have spoken of the elopement with great anger at the folly of both parties, but without horror or modesty, reprobating the detection rather than the offense, and blaming Fanny for not accepting Henry. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/characters/mary_crawford - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mansfield_park_se/characters