The Jane Austen Series: Mansfield Park LbNA #4626
Map
Nearby Boxes
Add Note
Add Location| Owner: | Clueless  |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Jul 3, 2003 |
| Location: | |
| City: | ??? |
| County: | Bucks |
| State: | Pennsylvania |
| Boxes: | 1 |
| Found by: | ??? |
|---|---|
| Last found: | Feb 5, 2012 |
| Status: | FFFFFFaFFFF |
| Last edited: | Jul 3, 2003 |
Allow 45 minutes.
For background on this series see the letterbox entitled “The Jane Austen Series: Jane Austen”.
Mansfield Park is set in the county of _____________. This play takes place at a nature facility in a township of the same name in Bucks County. If you want to know why the form of a play was chosen, read the book!
Characters:
Fanny Price – a timid young woman, the model of modesty and virtue
Edmund Bertram – a sensible and considerate young man, ready for love
Mary Crawford – a stylish young lady with a quick tongue
ACT I – “Observation”
[setting: behind a nature center, with a Bird Observation Blind as center stage. MARY and EDMUND stroll from the Blind side by side in evident enjoyment of each other’s company]
MARY (over her shoulder, to an as of yet unseen person still in the Blind]: Miss Price, pray take your time observing the birds. I do want to chat with Mr. Bertram. (to EDMUND) Edmund, you must forgive me for wanting to keep you to myself, but selfishness must always be forgiven, for there is no hope of a cure. May I inquire, Edmund, how long Miss Price has lived with your family?
EDMUND (smiling, gently guiding MARY down the paved lane to their left): Oh, for many years, ever since she was about nine years old.
MARY: My, that is a time! But pray tell me, is she out, or is she not? I am puzzled! She dined at the parsonage, with the rest of you, which seemed like being out; and yet she says so little, that I can hardly suppose that she is!
EDMUND: I will not undertake to answer the question. The outs and not outs are beyond me!
MARY: Until now, I could not have supposed it possible to be mistaken as to a girl’s being out or not. But I must be satisfied. Does she ever go to balls? Does she dine out every where, as well as at my sister’s?
EDMUND: No, I do not think she has ever been to a ball. My mother seldom goes into company herself, and dines no where but at your sister’s, and Fanny stays home with her.
MARY: Oh! Then the point is clear! Miss Price is NOT out.
EDMUND: Ought we not wait for Fanny before proceeding farther?
MARY: (shouting to the Blind) Miss Price, have the birds captured you? You mustn’t stay in there forever!
(FANNY quietly exits the Blind and follows the pair down the path)
ACT II - “Make A Decision”
[EDMUND and MARY are arm in arm, EDMUND hanging onto her every smiling word. FANNY trails silently behind]
MARY (smiling broadly at EDMUND): Well, here we are at yet another juncture. Look, the trails are color-coded. Which shall we take, Edmund, the yellow trail or the green?
EDMUND (smiling right back): Why Miss Crawford, I beg your pardon, but it is for the lady to decide.
MARY: Mr. Bertram, I dare say that I know nothing of these things. I defer to your better judgment.
EDMUND: Upon my word, Miss Crawford, as I have never been here before, I can hardly be more qualified than yourself to make the decision.
FANNY (sensing that a decision will otherwise never be made; meekly): May I suggest the green, then?
EDMUND (with a start, as though he’d forgotten that Fanny was there): Yes, of course dear Fanny, green is fine choice for our stroll. Here, lest you be fatigued, take my arm to lean on.
(FANNY places her arm through the one not already occupied by MARY, who looks annoyed; the trio walks along the boarded path, then come to a double arrow of green)
EDMUND: My dear Fanny, as you were so good as to make up our minds for us previously, would you be so kind as to decide our fate now?
MARY (jumping in, even though FANNY appears to be ready to speak): Why Mr. Bertram, surely you don’t intend to let Fanny have all the fun! I declare that we will head to the right and follow the green trail to its end.
FANNY (with concern at MARY’s apparent jealousy): Oh, Miss Crawford, if you prefer another path –
MARY: Do not be alarmed Fanny, I’m sure your choice of this dirt path will suit us fine. (holding up her skirt) I just need to beware the mud and brush don’t destroy my new muslin dress. I had the material special ordered when I was in London last, and it cost a pretty piece. I dare say your gown does not suffer this history.
(silence falls on the group as they walk on, turning left to stay on the green trail. they come upon a bench, then two benches) [NOTE: as of 7/4/04 the trail appears to have been temporarily re-routed; this does not affect the clues. Head straight past a rotting tree with a lot of carving on it, then you will come to the two benches]
MARY: Fanny, I am sure you must be fatigued by so much exercise. I insist upon your resting. Edmund and I may stroll about and return for you in a few moments.
FANNY: No, Miss Crawford, I assure you I am not yet nearly done in.
EDMUND: Are you sure Fanny? This is a fine place to rest.
FANNY (withdrawing her arm from EDMUND’s and rushing ahead): Why, look at this tree!! It is all hollowed out! Have you ever seen the likes? (she goes up close and peers inside)
MARY (with disgust): My dear Fanny, if you are not careful you will get dirt on yourself. Just what do you think might be inside such a thing?
FANNY (quietly, looking embarrassed): Nothing, I suppose. It was interesting, that’s all.
MARY (to no one in particular): A young lady ought to know better than to go prancing off into the woods, in my opinion.
EDMUND (looking uncomfortable): Come, ladies, let us move along the trail. (he drops MARY’s arm and rushes ahead. the ladies follow silently)
ACT III – “Reservoir Reservations”
(the group continues along the green trail with EDMUND still leading and the ladies following silently; they pass an environmental restoration area, a fenced in area, then finally can see the reservoir from up a hill)
EDMUND: Ah, behold the reservoir! (they move down the slope, staying on the green trail, turning to the left at the unmarked junction)
MARY (unimpressed): Yes, there is a large body of water ahead.
FANNY (taking in the scenery): Here’s harmony! Here’s repose! Here’s what may tranquilize every care and lift the heart to rapture!
EDMUND (looking pleased): I like to hear your enthusiasm, Fanny!
(FANNY is satisfied and MARY is displeased by the praise. EDMUND moves straight to a trail along the water where a marker indicates the green trail turns to the left and also goes straight)
FANNY (with concern): Edmund, with such a trail marker, are you not concerned that perhaps the trail is to the left and not straight? How shall we know which way to go?
MARY (with a snort): Oh, Miss Price, you must embrace adventure! (she bounces down the trail after Edmund)
EDMUND (over his shoulder, shouting back to the ladies): Mind your step on these roots! Ah, the beauty of water! Feel the gentle breeze! (he stops at a bench on the water’s edge; the ladies approach. MARY sprawls on the bench, taking it all for herself. FANNY uses the backside for support) Fanny, surely you must be fatigued by now. Pray, rest yourself on this seat. I am sure Miss Crawford will make room.
MARY (with annoyance, jumping up): Oh, let’s just finish the trail and return home. We can all rest then. (she begins to move along the trail)
EDMUND (to FANNY): Are you all right to continue, dear Fanny? I dare say Miss Crawford won’t continue on without us, so we may rest as you wish.
FANNY: I thank you Edmund, but I feel fine to carry on.
EDMUND: Well, then, I insist that you take my arm. (he draws her arm through his. they continue after MARY down the trail)
ACT IV – “Trees of Many Uses”
(with MARY now leading, EDMUND and FANNY follow, arm in arm, FANNY visibly tired)
MARY: See Fanny! No need for alarm! We’ve returned to the green trail. Follow me, I sense the way to our carriage. (she heads to the right, then they stroll along a ways) My oh my! But these are impressive trees! Fanny, have you no comment on your surroundings now?
EDMUND (annoyed): I think Fanny is a bit done in, Miss Crawford.
MARY: Phoo! Phoo! We are homeward bound. Edmund, what say you to these trees lined along the path on the ground?
EDMUND: They are to help keep you on the defined path, Mary, so you don’t stray.
MARY (coyly): Why, perhaps I ought to have them installed at home! (she laughs)
(a trail appears on the left. FANNY, previously dragging, drops EDMUND’s arm and bounds down the trail)
MARY: My dear Miss Price!! What are you doing? That is neither the green trail, nor the direction in which our carriage lays. Now is no time to seek adventure!
(FANNY drops to her knees and peers into the base of a tree right along the trail on the right)
MARY: Miss Price!!! What are you doing?! You will surely ruin your gown! Edmund, has she not gone mad? She is showing signs of more than fatigue!
(FANNY jumps up, takes another step past the tree, then darts into the woods on her left. She runs up to a very tall stump, then looks in a rotting tree at its base.)
MARY (with a snort to Edmund): Ha! Now what does she hope to find. That girl –
(MARY stops mid-sentence as FANNY pulls a box out from the base of the tree. She holds it up, her face beaming)
EDMUND: Why Fanny, you’ve found a treasure! (to MARY) Now there’s a girl who knows how to find adventure! (he rushes forward to assist. MARY remains behind pouting).
ACT V – “Homeward Bound”
(FANNY places the box back into the tree carefully, making sure it is hidden from view. EDMUND helps her stand)
EDMUND: Fanny, you amaze me! How did you know that was there?
(FANNY shrugs quietly, but with a pleased smile on her face. EDMUND offers her his arm again, and she takes it happily. They return to MARY waiting at the green trail)
MARY: It’s about time! I thought the two of you would never finish playing with the garbage. Shall we return? Although I notice Miss Price does not appear quite so tired as she did before.
(the group continues along the green trail, following a green arrow when it points to the right. At the paved path, FANNY eagerly speaks up)
FANNY: May I suggest we head to the right? (they walk a short ways on the paved path to another juncture where FANNY and EDMUND pause) I believe there is a Spring House across from this pond, if anyone is interested in a short detour. (as MARY has not stopped with them and doesn’t respond, FANNY and EDMUND follow her back up to the Nature Center).
EDMUND (to Fanny, with a smile): Well, Fanny, a pretty good day’s amusement you have had. A lot has changed since we were here earlier.
FANNY (smiling): Indeed! I’ve discovered letterboxing and my one true love!
THE END
For background on this series see the letterbox entitled “The Jane Austen Series: Jane Austen”.
Mansfield Park is set in the county of _____________. This play takes place at a nature facility in a township of the same name in Bucks County. If you want to know why the form of a play was chosen, read the book!
Characters:
Fanny Price – a timid young woman, the model of modesty and virtue
Edmund Bertram – a sensible and considerate young man, ready for love
Mary Crawford – a stylish young lady with a quick tongue
ACT I – “Observation”
[setting: behind a nature center, with a Bird Observation Blind as center stage. MARY and EDMUND stroll from the Blind side by side in evident enjoyment of each other’s company]
MARY (over her shoulder, to an as of yet unseen person still in the Blind]: Miss Price, pray take your time observing the birds. I do want to chat with Mr. Bertram. (to EDMUND) Edmund, you must forgive me for wanting to keep you to myself, but selfishness must always be forgiven, for there is no hope of a cure. May I inquire, Edmund, how long Miss Price has lived with your family?
EDMUND (smiling, gently guiding MARY down the paved lane to their left): Oh, for many years, ever since she was about nine years old.
MARY: My, that is a time! But pray tell me, is she out, or is she not? I am puzzled! She dined at the parsonage, with the rest of you, which seemed like being out; and yet she says so little, that I can hardly suppose that she is!
EDMUND: I will not undertake to answer the question. The outs and not outs are beyond me!
MARY: Until now, I could not have supposed it possible to be mistaken as to a girl’s being out or not. But I must be satisfied. Does she ever go to balls? Does she dine out every where, as well as at my sister’s?
EDMUND: No, I do not think she has ever been to a ball. My mother seldom goes into company herself, and dines no where but at your sister’s, and Fanny stays home with her.
MARY: Oh! Then the point is clear! Miss Price is NOT out.
EDMUND: Ought we not wait for Fanny before proceeding farther?
MARY: (shouting to the Blind) Miss Price, have the birds captured you? You mustn’t stay in there forever!
(FANNY quietly exits the Blind and follows the pair down the path)
ACT II - “Make A Decision”
[EDMUND and MARY are arm in arm, EDMUND hanging onto her every smiling word. FANNY trails silently behind]
MARY (smiling broadly at EDMUND): Well, here we are at yet another juncture. Look, the trails are color-coded. Which shall we take, Edmund, the yellow trail or the green?
EDMUND (smiling right back): Why Miss Crawford, I beg your pardon, but it is for the lady to decide.
MARY: Mr. Bertram, I dare say that I know nothing of these things. I defer to your better judgment.
EDMUND: Upon my word, Miss Crawford, as I have never been here before, I can hardly be more qualified than yourself to make the decision.
FANNY (sensing that a decision will otherwise never be made; meekly): May I suggest the green, then?
EDMUND (with a start, as though he’d forgotten that Fanny was there): Yes, of course dear Fanny, green is fine choice for our stroll. Here, lest you be fatigued, take my arm to lean on.
(FANNY places her arm through the one not already occupied by MARY, who looks annoyed; the trio walks along the boarded path, then come to a double arrow of green)
EDMUND: My dear Fanny, as you were so good as to make up our minds for us previously, would you be so kind as to decide our fate now?
MARY (jumping in, even though FANNY appears to be ready to speak): Why Mr. Bertram, surely you don’t intend to let Fanny have all the fun! I declare that we will head to the right and follow the green trail to its end.
FANNY (with concern at MARY’s apparent jealousy): Oh, Miss Crawford, if you prefer another path –
MARY: Do not be alarmed Fanny, I’m sure your choice of this dirt path will suit us fine. (holding up her skirt) I just need to beware the mud and brush don’t destroy my new muslin dress. I had the material special ordered when I was in London last, and it cost a pretty piece. I dare say your gown does not suffer this history.
(silence falls on the group as they walk on, turning left to stay on the green trail. they come upon a bench, then two benches) [NOTE: as of 7/4/04 the trail appears to have been temporarily re-routed; this does not affect the clues. Head straight past a rotting tree with a lot of carving on it, then you will come to the two benches]
MARY: Fanny, I am sure you must be fatigued by so much exercise. I insist upon your resting. Edmund and I may stroll about and return for you in a few moments.
FANNY: No, Miss Crawford, I assure you I am not yet nearly done in.
EDMUND: Are you sure Fanny? This is a fine place to rest.
FANNY (withdrawing her arm from EDMUND’s and rushing ahead): Why, look at this tree!! It is all hollowed out! Have you ever seen the likes? (she goes up close and peers inside)
MARY (with disgust): My dear Fanny, if you are not careful you will get dirt on yourself. Just what do you think might be inside such a thing?
FANNY (quietly, looking embarrassed): Nothing, I suppose. It was interesting, that’s all.
MARY (to no one in particular): A young lady ought to know better than to go prancing off into the woods, in my opinion.
EDMUND (looking uncomfortable): Come, ladies, let us move along the trail. (he drops MARY’s arm and rushes ahead. the ladies follow silently)
ACT III – “Reservoir Reservations”
(the group continues along the green trail with EDMUND still leading and the ladies following silently; they pass an environmental restoration area, a fenced in area, then finally can see the reservoir from up a hill)
EDMUND: Ah, behold the reservoir! (they move down the slope, staying on the green trail, turning to the left at the unmarked junction)
MARY (unimpressed): Yes, there is a large body of water ahead.
FANNY (taking in the scenery): Here’s harmony! Here’s repose! Here’s what may tranquilize every care and lift the heart to rapture!
EDMUND (looking pleased): I like to hear your enthusiasm, Fanny!
(FANNY is satisfied and MARY is displeased by the praise. EDMUND moves straight to a trail along the water where a marker indicates the green trail turns to the left and also goes straight)
FANNY (with concern): Edmund, with such a trail marker, are you not concerned that perhaps the trail is to the left and not straight? How shall we know which way to go?
MARY (with a snort): Oh, Miss Price, you must embrace adventure! (she bounces down the trail after Edmund)
EDMUND (over his shoulder, shouting back to the ladies): Mind your step on these roots! Ah, the beauty of water! Feel the gentle breeze! (he stops at a bench on the water’s edge; the ladies approach. MARY sprawls on the bench, taking it all for herself. FANNY uses the backside for support) Fanny, surely you must be fatigued by now. Pray, rest yourself on this seat. I am sure Miss Crawford will make room.
MARY (with annoyance, jumping up): Oh, let’s just finish the trail and return home. We can all rest then. (she begins to move along the trail)
EDMUND (to FANNY): Are you all right to continue, dear Fanny? I dare say Miss Crawford won’t continue on without us, so we may rest as you wish.
FANNY: I thank you Edmund, but I feel fine to carry on.
EDMUND: Well, then, I insist that you take my arm. (he draws her arm through his. they continue after MARY down the trail)
ACT IV – “Trees of Many Uses”
(with MARY now leading, EDMUND and FANNY follow, arm in arm, FANNY visibly tired)
MARY: See Fanny! No need for alarm! We’ve returned to the green trail. Follow me, I sense the way to our carriage. (she heads to the right, then they stroll along a ways) My oh my! But these are impressive trees! Fanny, have you no comment on your surroundings now?
EDMUND (annoyed): I think Fanny is a bit done in, Miss Crawford.
MARY: Phoo! Phoo! We are homeward bound. Edmund, what say you to these trees lined along the path on the ground?
EDMUND: They are to help keep you on the defined path, Mary, so you don’t stray.
MARY (coyly): Why, perhaps I ought to have them installed at home! (she laughs)
(a trail appears on the left. FANNY, previously dragging, drops EDMUND’s arm and bounds down the trail)
MARY: My dear Miss Price!! What are you doing? That is neither the green trail, nor the direction in which our carriage lays. Now is no time to seek adventure!
(FANNY drops to her knees and peers into the base of a tree right along the trail on the right)
MARY: Miss Price!!! What are you doing?! You will surely ruin your gown! Edmund, has she not gone mad? She is showing signs of more than fatigue!
(FANNY jumps up, takes another step past the tree, then darts into the woods on her left. She runs up to a very tall stump, then looks in a rotting tree at its base.)
MARY (with a snort to Edmund): Ha! Now what does she hope to find. That girl –
(MARY stops mid-sentence as FANNY pulls a box out from the base of the tree. She holds it up, her face beaming)
EDMUND: Why Fanny, you’ve found a treasure! (to MARY) Now there’s a girl who knows how to find adventure! (he rushes forward to assist. MARY remains behind pouting).
ACT V – “Homeward Bound”
(FANNY places the box back into the tree carefully, making sure it is hidden from view. EDMUND helps her stand)
EDMUND: Fanny, you amaze me! How did you know that was there?
(FANNY shrugs quietly, but with a pleased smile on her face. EDMUND offers her his arm again, and she takes it happily. They return to MARY waiting at the green trail)
MARY: It’s about time! I thought the two of you would never finish playing with the garbage. Shall we return? Although I notice Miss Price does not appear quite so tired as she did before.
(the group continues along the green trail, following a green arrow when it points to the right. At the paved path, FANNY eagerly speaks up)
FANNY: May I suggest we head to the right? (they walk a short ways on the paved path to another juncture where FANNY and EDMUND pause) I believe there is a Spring House across from this pond, if anyone is interested in a short detour. (as MARY has not stopped with them and doesn’t respond, FANNY and EDMUND follow her back up to the Nature Center).
EDMUND (to Fanny, with a smile): Well, Fanny, a pretty good day’s amusement you have had. A lot has changed since we were here earlier.
FANNY (smiling): Indeed! I’ve discovered letterboxing and my one true love!
THE END