The text is that of a new authoritative text, which closely follows the one Austen oversaw when the novel was revised and reprinted in 1816.
Supporting materials include an introduction, annotations, and a map.
"Contexts" includes contemporary materials on the slave trade, religion, conduct literature for women, and landscape design that illuminate this dark and often disturbing novel. Elizabeth Inchbald’s adaptation of Lovers’ Vows (the play staged by the characters in Mansfield Park) is included, as are writings by Humphry Repton, Thomas Gisborne, Hannah More, and Mary Wollstonecraft, among others.
"Criticism" presents a superb selection of critical writing about the novel.
The critics include Jan Fergus, Lionel Trilling, Alistair Duckworth, Nina Auerebach, Claudia L. Johnson, Joseph Litvak, Edward Said, B. C. Southam, and Joseph Lew.
A Chronology and Selected Bibliography are included.
