“There was a great deal of needlework to be done.” presented by Pamela Whalan

The young people of Mansfield Park are not deliberately unkind to Fanny Price, but they are so absorbed in their own frivolous lives that they do not consider how great a burden of responsibility and hard work they place on her. When they decide to put on a play it is Fanny who does the bulk of the sewing involved as well as hearing lines and running errands.
The actors have no understanding or appreciation of the work she does. We can understand and appreciate the character of Fanny Price through looking at the great deal of needlework she has to do.
Pamela Whalan has been a member of JASA for thirty years. Combining her love of the works of Austen and her love of theatre, she has adapted five of Austen’s novels for the stage. In addition, she has presented papers on the works of Austen at conferences in Australia, Canada, and the U.S.A.
Pamela holds an M.A. from the University of Sydney and an MLitt from the University of New England and taught English for many years at the University of Technology in Sydney.
Jane Austen Society of Australia: jasa.com.au/