Henry Crawford is one of the main characters in Jane Austen's 1814 novel, Mansfield Park. Austen challenges her readers by creating as her most attractive male character, a man whose main objective in life is to cause hurt to women. He is depicted as a man who, though not conventionally handsome, has great charisma. He is lively, witty and charming, a great asset at dinner parties, and admired by nearly all. Henry and his sister bring a fresh energy to the rather dour and oppressive atmosphere of Mansfield Park. At Sotherton his potential for disruption begins to emerge.