Bird of Paradise (Mansfield Park story)

Fanfiction
Title:	Bird of Paradise
Author(s):	Jane Greensmith (JaneGS)
Date(s):	February 2001
Length:	4,200 words
Genre:	character study, het, fusion
Fandom:	Mansfield Park (Jane Austen)
External Links:	author's site; BoI; DWG
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Bird of Paradise is a Mansfield Park story by Jane Greensmith, written in 2001. It is a character study of Fanny Price which remains closer to canon than most fanfiction for this novel, retaining the canonical Fanny/Edmund pairing.

The story opens with Fanny's marriage to Edmund Bertram. It initially focuses on Fanny's shyness, jealousy, lack of assertiveness & physical weakness, characteristics that most fanfiction authors forget or try to explain away. Connecting Mansfield Park with Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca by naming the Bertrams' housekeeper "Mrs Danvers" and echoing elements of the du Maurier novel, the story draws parallels both between Fanny & the unnamed mouse-like narrator of Rebecca, and between Edmund's former lover Mary Crawford & Maxim de Winter's beautiful but dissolute first wife. It then diverges from du Maurier's plot by introducing another original character, a female neighbour who befriends Fanny; this device draws out Fanny's more confident & passionate nature, and gives the story a happy ending.

"Bird of Paradise" opposes images of roses & the titular tropical flower to express different views of Fanny's character. This could be read as a comment on the fandom's "Fanny Wars" over her character.

The story is archived at the author's personal site and at Bits of Ivory & the Derbyshire Writers' Guild. It is also available in her self-published print anthology Intimations of Austen. The story is not rated by the author; most reviewers rate it PG-13. It contains no explicit material. The author's summary at BoI is We were married today, Edmund and I. At DWG, it is Fanny Bertram has a difficult time adjusting to her new roles as wife and mistress of the parsonage. Fortunately, a neighbor helps her to find her way An author's note explains the title:

Sophie Charlotte, from the tiny German principality of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, married George III and became Queen of England. In 1773, Sir Joseph Banks, then director of Kew Gardens, named the exotic "Bird of Paradise" plant from the Cape of Good Hope Strelitzia Reginae, in honor of his Queen. The Bird of Paradise is an exotic beauty, with large, long dark green leaves and blooms that are rich purple with bright orange fans. It usually takes seven years and seven leaves before blooms appear.

Author's Conception

Jane describes the story and her inspiration to write it:

My story, "Bird of Paradise," came from my belief that the much-maligned Fanny Price is actually the most passionate and romantic of Austen's heroines but she was trapped in a situation that rendered her inarticulate to express that passion.

Once again, this is one of my favorites because so many readers tell me that they absolutely love seeing Fanny Price with an unambiguously happy future. This story begins with the wedding of Fanny and her cousin, Edmund Bertram, and goes gothic when Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca tries to steal the scene. I loved writing it and researching flowers that take awhile to bloom, but when they do, they do so gloriously. My favorite Austen critics have written about how Fanny is one of the most passionate of all Austen heroines, and I wanted to find a story and symbolism that would capture that passion she hid so well while under her Aunt Norris's thumb at Mansfield Park.

Reception

"Bird of Paradise" was generally well received, both as fanfiction and in the pro anthology format. Within online fandom reviewers tend to focus on Fanny's characterisation, while reviewers of the print anthology often concentrate more on the crossover elements. Reviewers particularly praise Fanny's non-fanonical but sympathetic characterisation, the realistic portrait of her marriage and the slow emergence of her more assertive side. Some reviewers also draw attention to the distinctive prose style, which is modern rather than Austen pastiche without being too jarring.

Critique tends to focus on the effect of the Rebecca fusion on the characters from Mansfield Park. For example, one reviewer found the premise of Fanny's incompetence at housekeeping unbelievable in the light of her role at Mansfield; another felt that the characterisation of Edmund was stretched to breaking by the demands of the fusion.

Recs & Reviews

The story was recommended at Crack Van, Epic Recs and elsewhere. It was also widely reviewed in Austen blogs as part of the Intimations of Austen collection.

Fanny Price has the distinction of being the most disliked of Jane Austen’s heroines (“thoroughly moral” and “boringly perfect” are some of the nicer things her critics have to say about her), which leads to the unfortunate tendency most fic authors have of completely re-inventing her character. What I like about "Bird of Paradise" is that Fanny is still Fanny (and not miraculously transformed into a much bolder, wittier character). It is not a story of an instant happily ever after or magical transformations. Yet, from her wedding day (when the story starts) onwards we see Fanny slowly starts to change, overcome her fears, assert herself more and grow in her role of wife and mistress of her own home. For those who like Fanny, it is a rare chance to see her blossom; for those who don’t, it’s an opportunity to see her in an entirely new light. (Slytherin Gypsy at Epic Recs)

With lyrical prose, this story takes on the Fanny/Edmund pairing thoughtfully. A lot is made on the novel about Fanny's physical weakness, but most fanfic (And movies!) prefer to forget it; this story doesn't, and it deals with it beautifully, using it as backdrop for her insecurities. Many people wonder about Edmund and his change of heart... and much has been said about the unromantic nature of Mansfield Park's ending. I think this is a very good response to both canon's apparent lack on this department and to the detractors of the ending and the pairing. (hele at Crack Van)

In Intimations of Austen

Fanny has just become Mrs Bertram. But her arrival at Edmund’s rectory, Thornton Lacey, looks very much like Rebecca’s (duMaurier’s character) arrival at her beloved husband’s residence: a dark, broody, Mrs Danvers is there to govern their house trying to lead their lives … Guess what? Mrs Danvers starts mentioning Mary Crawford to Fanny, very often... Again Jane Greensmith made the miracle! I’ve never sympathized with Fanny so much, not in Mansfield Park, at least.(Maria Grazia)

Fourth is Bird of Paradise, a look at Fanny Bertram, nee Price, and the tenuous beginnings of her marriage with Edumnd (I wished this story was longer...I would eagerly read an entire novel by Greensmith that continues Fanny's struggles). ... As I mentioned above, her story of Fanny Bertram could have easily been extended into a short novel, as there was much to be explored. (L.S.O.)

My favorite story is "Bird of Paradise," in which newlywed Fanny Price returns with her husband Edmund to a home run by housekeeper Mrs. Danvers from Daphne duMaurier's 'Rebecca'! A brilliant narrative combination, which reveals something profound about a bride's finding her happiness only insofar as she finds her true self. (The Fictional 100)