Portsmouth Close Reading: Mansifeld Park

"William was almost as happy in the plan as his sister. It would be the greatest pleasure to him to have her there to the last moment before he sailed, and perhaps find her there still when he came in from his first cruise. And besides, he wanted her so very much to see the Thrush before she went out of harbour--the Thrush was certainly the finest sloop in the service--and there were several improvements in the dockyard, too, which he quite longed to shew her."

This is the best example of a shift in time in the novel, demonstrating the years since Fanny had been home last.  In narrowing a focus, it is easiest to spend time understanding changes in the closest seaport, Portsmouth. Upon examining the word "improvement" in this excerpt, one must examine the definition of said word, stating that an improvement is the betterment of space. Portsmouth during this time period was often perceived as being a place of debauchery and dysfunction and it is interesting to trace how that significance impacted the novel, especially since Fanny herself experienced a change in demeanor as well, from Portsmouth to Mansfield Park.