These are the contexts of the quotes tweeted between Oct 2 and Oct 8, 2014. All but the last are from Mansfield Park, by Jane Austin. This book is 200 years old this year.

Mansfield Park Cover“My intentions are only not to be poor.” Edmund’s continuation of his response to Mary’s fixing on a large income as a recipe for happiness.

“A woman can never be too fine while she is all in white.” Edmund, speaking to Fanny before the ball.

“Fraternal love, sometimes almost everything, is at others worse than nothing.” The author is using the love between Fanny and her brother William to contrast with other sibling relationships in the family, such as between Aunt Norris and her sisters, or between Julia and Maria. Note that in this case “fraternal” is used to refer to any pair of siblings, regardless of sex.

“I can never bear to ask.” Henry is in some ways almost a stereotypical male of modern times: he won’t ask for directions when he is lost.

“Poor Fanny, not allowed to cheat herself as she wishes.” Edmund, perceiving that Fanny would much rather that her brother William won.

“The possession of what she had so much wished for did not bring much satisfaction.” Fanny’s thoughts after accepting the necklace from Miss Crawford.

“Maybe your body knows what it needs better than you do.” Sue Ann Bowling, Homecoming. Flame, speaking to Roi, after she has found him wracked with nightmares.