MovieChat Forums > Mansfield Park (1999) Discussion > why does Maria...

why does Maria...

posted 21 years ago by ecclusiastics
6 replies | jump to latest

insist that Julia accompany her on her honeymoon to Brighton? And whats up with Maria being considered the prettier one anyway? Julia seemed more pleasing to me...

[–] ataulealo 21 years ago

I think it was customary at that time for a bride to be accompanied on her honeymoon by an unmarried lady companion, and as in this instance Julia was unmarried, it would seem to make sense that Maria would ask her. Maria's supposed to be prettier than Julia in the book, and I guess the producers of the film decided to follow the same logic, even if their casting didn't reflect it.

[–] lilac32 21 years ago

Okay guys, Maria takes Julia on her honeymoon because she doesn't want Julia to snag Henry Crawford. If Maria can't have him, then neither can Julia. It is in the book as well as implied by the movie.

[–] styleequeen 21 years ago

The book implied that Maria so disliked her new husband she didn't want to be left alone with him. Julia was only too happy to go because Brighton was much more fun than Mansfield Park, especially after the return of Sir Thomas.

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[–] ssn60408 21 years ago

Perhaps Maria intended to draw Crawford by bringing Julia, Crawford's intended love interest, to Brighton.

(imagine the icon to be saying this-- "wangdoodles") [rolleyes]

[–] Josephine7 21 years ago

Was it really customary for brides to bring an unmarried companion along with them? I had no idea! And I also took it as her not wanting to be alone with Rushworth, not because she didn't want Julia to be with Crawford. OH well!

[–] Superkeener 19 years ago

I think that Julia went with Maria so that she would have a 'companion' to do womanly things with, such as shopping, or visiting aquaintances or have someone to talk to during the day. Remember, back then there wasn't much entertainment and the honeymoon wasn't expected to be all sex, but there would be some sightseeing, or whatnot, since it usually lasted for several months. A woman couldn't be expected to sit around all day doing nothing by herself.

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