I think my feelings about Edmund Bertram and Fanny Price can be summed up in the idea that of all the Jane Austen heroines, she's the only one who has a zero percent chance of getting cunnilingus.
Captain Wentworth thinks there is nothing so proper as going down on Anne. Henry Tilney? You cannot doubt. Charles Bingley? Jane would be completely embarrassed but he'll talk her into it. Elizabeth needs to bring Darcy around but we know she can do it. Edward would go on his knees for Elinor. Colonel Brandon needs to protect his knees but Marianne doesn't even make a single old age joke about it. Emma can ask for what she wants but Fanny Price...
Fanny Price takes what she is given and expresses endless gratitude. And while Edmund is perceptive, he was the only one to help when she couldn't write home to her brother, he bought her the chain when she needed something for her cross... he also has this quietly selfish quality to him (the Portsmouth letter that doesn't ask anything about her and "Fanny think of me!") and a penchant for expecting Fanny to be his mirror and go along with all his expectations ("asking" for advice about joining the play and their conversation about Henry's proposal) which leaves me absolutely certain that he will just do whatever satisfies himself in bed and never think about giving Fanny anything more. And she'll be content, just like she was with his half-written little note and the endless useless gifts from Tom, and never understand that she could have so much more. Mary Crawford could have gotten head out of Edmund, but never Fanny Price.
And yes, I know I know, it was the Regency times, women are not basing their happiness on their expectation for orgasms but I can still want the very best things for them can't I?
(I realize not all people who identify as female want or like cunnilingus, but I just want the possibility to be there)
























