Edmund Bertram

Edmund Bertram is a major protagonist in Jane Austen's 1814 novel Mansfield Park. He is Sir Thomas's second son and plans to be ordained as a clergyman. Edmund is a naturally kind and compassionate person, as demonstrated by his conduct toward Fanny Price, an impoverished cousin who has come to live with Edmund's family from her lower middle class home and family in Portsmouth. Edmund's kindness and generosity to Fanny distinguishes him from the rest of his family, who tend to exploit Fanny's good nature or mock her for her less privileged upbringing. For instance, Edmund's brother Tom would deride Fanny, and his sisters, Maria and Julia, would condescend to give Fanny toys of the least value to them. However, Edmund remains friendly...