Mansfield Park
Fanny Price is sent to live with her wealthy relatives, the Bertrams, where she is treated poorly by most except her cousin Edmund. Her life is complicated by the arrival of the worldly Mary and Henry Crawford.
The film commercial failure against its tight budget of $11.0M, earning $4.8M globally (-57% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its compelling narrative within the romance genre.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Mansfield Park (1999) showcases strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of Patricia Rozema's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 52 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Young Fanny Price lives in poverty with her large family in Portsmouth, creative and imaginative but confined by her circumstances.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Time jump to adult Fanny. She has grown into an intelligent woman who writes stories, but remains marginalized in the household despite Edmund's friendship.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
At 56 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Sir Thomas returns unexpectedly, shutting down the play. Maria marries Rushworth despite loving Henry. The brief freedom collapses, and Fanny realizes the moral corruption runs deep while Edmund remains blind to Mary's faults., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 84 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Fanny is banished to Portsmouth as punishment for refusing Henry. Her return to poverty seems like complete defeat. Edmund prepares to marry Mary Crawford. Fanny's voice and position appear crushed., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 90 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Fanny returns to Mansfield Park, now recognized for her moral clarity. Edmund sees Mary and his own blindness clearly. The estate is in chaos, but Fanny's voice and vision can finally be heard. She and Edmund come together on equal terms., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Mansfield Park's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Mansfield Park against these established plot points, we can identify how Patricia Rozema utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Mansfield Park within the romance genre.
Patricia Rozema's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Patricia Rozema films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Mansfield Park takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Patricia Rozema filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional romance films include South Pacific, Last Night and Diana. For more Patricia Rozema analyses, see Kit Kittredge: An American Girl.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Young Fanny Price lives in poverty with her large family in Portsmouth, creative and imaginative but confined by her circumstances.
Theme
Mrs. Norris tells Fanny's mother that she must know her place in society, establishing the theme of social position versus personal integrity and voice.
Worldbuilding
Fanny arrives at Mansfield Park and adapts to her new life as a poor relation. We meet the Bertram family, the cruel Mrs. Norris, and her only friend Edmund. The hierarchy and rules of the estate are established.
Disruption
Time jump to adult Fanny. She has grown into an intelligent woman who writes stories, but remains marginalized in the household despite Edmund's friendship.
Resistance
The Crawford siblings arrive, bringing sophisticated London manners and disrupting the household. Henry flirts with Maria and Julia while Mary attracts Edmund. Fanny observes the moral compromises around her while developing her own voice through writing.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The theatrical rehearsals create intimacy and reveal true characters. Fanny navigates flirtations, observes moral transgressions, and grows closer to Edmund even as he pursues Mary Crawford. The promise of exploring voice, morality, and desire plays out.
Midpoint
Sir Thomas returns unexpectedly, shutting down the play. Maria marries Rushworth despite loving Henry. The brief freedom collapses, and Fanny realizes the moral corruption runs deep while Edmund remains blind to Mary's faults.
Opposition
Henry Crawford pursues Fanny seriously, proposing marriage. Sir Thomas pressures her to accept for social advancement. Edmund encourages the match. Fanny resists despite intense pressure, discovering her sketches reveal plantation slavery horrors, adding moral weight to her need for integrity.
Collapse
Fanny is banished to Portsmouth as punishment for refusing Henry. Her return to poverty seems like complete defeat. Edmund prepares to marry Mary Crawford. Fanny's voice and position appear crushed.
Crisis
In Portsmouth, Fanny suffers in cramped, chaotic poverty. She confronts what she's given up by refusing Henry. Her internal darkness: has she been foolish to insist on integrity when it costs her everything?
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Fanny returns to Mansfield Park, now recognized for her moral clarity. Edmund sees Mary and his own blindness clearly. The estate is in chaos, but Fanny's voice and vision can finally be heard. She and Edmund come together on equal terms.