Chapters 1, 2, and 3 Summary

The first chapter introduces the main character and her family, giving thirty years of family history. In short, Miss Maria Ward makes a very good match with Sir Thomas Bertram of Mansfield Park. This good match is expected to raise the fortunes of her younger sisters. The next younger sister marries a Reverend, Mr. Norris, and they settle in Mansfield near the Bertrams. The youngest sister, Frances, however, marries a lieutenant named Mr. Price who is in the marines and has no education, connections, or fortune.

The Prices live far from the Bertrams and Norris's, and a wedge between the families forms. However, when Mrs. Price is pregnant with her ninth child, she writes to her sisters asking if they could help sponsor one of her children. The letter results in increased communication and kindness among the families.

When Fanny is...