In Jane Austen's novel of social commentary Mansfield Park, Mary Crawford and Henry Crawford are two characters that exemplify the concept of double consciousness, as is depicted in the scene where the family at Mansfield Park plays the card game Speculation. This game however, like much of Austen's work, is played on more than one level. During the course of the card game, Henry also speculates upon what it would be like to be a tenant of Thornton Lacey, and Mary stops speculating about what it would be like to be mistress of Thornton Lacey, but neither speculate openly. The family of Mansfield Park, however, is new to the game, and are in the position of having the Crawfords teach it to them, just as they are only slightly aware of the social game the Crawfords are trying to play. Throughout this scene, the reader is forced to examine both what they say and what they leave unsaid to learn of their speculations. And as with all games, Henry and Mary Crawford are playing to!

Henry begins by suggesting the card game "Speculation" to Fanny and Lady Bertram, and is more than happy to teach them and manage both their cards as well as his own. His actions show that

a different profession, despite Edmund's acceptance of his social duties of the younger son. So now, she doesn't dare reveal herself further by belittling the idea further, for fear that she will engage the disdain of Sir Thomas, and therefore, Edmund, and says nothing more on the subject. Her game has, for the evening, ended, and she is rather out of sorts as a result.

Henry Crawford in not the only person of the party whose spirits are depressed by this. Mary Crawford, his sister, is also taken aback. Earlier in the card game, she joyfully exclaimed "If I lose the game, it shall not be from not striving for it!"(217) However, her hopes for winning the social game are dashed as Edmund refuses to rent Thornton Lacey to Henry. She fully realizes now that Edmund will occupy Thornton Lacey as a parish priest, and not a man of independent fortune. "All the agreeable of her speculation was over for that hour," (222), and she can barely contain her anger towards Sir Thomas for having dashed her dreams of a different life for Edmund. Though she now "considers him with decided ill will" (222), she doesn't let her mask slip and her disappointment show through. She has always tried to talk Edmund out of becoming a priest, or at least acquaint him with the notion that he won't be wealthy, and that it would be far more advantageous for him to be in !

he perceives that he will gain the trust and approval of both Lady Bertram and Fanny by doing so. As Lady Bertram puts it, "I am never to see my cards; and Mr. Crawford does all the rest." (216) Also in this way, Henry delicately manages the conversation, bringing it around to th

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Approximate Word count = 1103
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)