Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë (1847)

I am quite the reverse of an ordinary reader. You see, I am not drawn to the typical classics which everyone loves. For example, Pride and Prejudice is considered the most famous book by Jane Austen. I enjoyed it as well, but when I read Persuasion, my opinion changed immediately. The same thing happened again when I turned to the Brontë sisters. First, I read Jane Eyre, a lovely story, outstandingly written; then I read its sister novel Wuthering Heights, also a great story, written with great enthusiasm and passion. And last but not least, Agnes Grey, which is my favourite amongst them.

I think the reason I am drawn to the less popular works is because the characters, much like myself, are not forthcoming in a way that makes them immediately obvious or fully known. It takes time for these characters to unravel themselves, particularly because they are quiet, reserved, and more observant. I appreciate this quality, both in literature and in people—when someone does not reveal their true self immediately, but instead waits for the right moment and the right person. I believe it is important to get to know someone well enough before deciding whether they can be trusted.

Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë is a fairly short novel, yet it remains powerful and engaging. Let me briefly outline its contents.

Agnes Grey—the protagonist—lives in a small, secluded cottage with her father, Richard Grey, a clergyman in the north of England; her mother, Alice Grey, a squire’s daughter who married him against the wishes of her family and is a woman of strong character; and her elder sister, Mary Grey. Although her mother was born into a noble family, she gave up that status when she formed a relationship with Agnes’s father. As a result, neither Mary nor Agnes maintained any connection with their extended family.

The family never had much money and was only able to cover basic necessities. However, when their father, Richard, fell ill and became confined to his bed, their financial situation worsened significantly. Agnes, who was eighteen at the time, offered to work as a governess to support the family. Mary and Alice were uncertain whether such work was suitable for her, partly because they considered her too young and inexperienced, and partly because she had only just come of age. Nevertheless, after much persuasion, her parents eventually agreed to let her go.

Agnes first became a governess for the Bloomfield family, and later for the Murray family. Her first position proved to be a catastrophe. She was responsible for three children. The eldest boy, Tom, was a well-grown child of seven, with a somewhat wiry frame, flaxen hair, blue eyes, a small turned-up nose, and a fair complexion. The second child, Mary Ann, was a tall girl, somewhat darker in appearance like her mother, with a round, full face and a high colour in her cheeks. The youngest, Fanny, was a pretty little girl, who was soon to be four years old.

During her two years with this family, Agnes experienced a great deal of difficulty. All three children were rebellious: they refused to listen, disobeyed instructions, and even reversed roles, attempting to command Agnes rather than be guided by her. In short, they were extremely troublesome. She also received little support from their mother, who, when she did address Agnes, often criticised her for failing to educate her children properly. Mr. Bloomfield is portrayed as a stern, peevish, and unsympathetic father, whose irritable temperament created fear and disorder within the household, further complicating Agnes’s situation.

After being dismissed, Agnes found a new position with the Murray family. This household consisted of four children: two older girls and two younger boys, although the boys were away at boarding school and not under her care. The Murray daughters, Rosalie and Matilda, differed greatly in character. Rosalie, the elder, was sixteen when Agnes first met her. She was a very attractive girl—tall and slender, with light brown hair and pale blue eyes—yet her intellect did not match her appearance. Matilda, on the other hand, was a veritable hoyden. About two and a half years younger than her sister, she had larger features, a darker complexion, and was considered too awkward and robust to be described as pretty.

The family attended church every Sunday; this served as an opportunity for the young women to meet men who were either connected to the church or regular attendees. Afterwards, the Murray sisters—and occasionally Agnes, if they permitted her to join them—would walk home with some of these acquaintances, as they greatly enjoyed such outings. Over time, Agnes developed an affection for a certain Mr. Weston, who is portrayed as a sincere and principled man, devoted to helping the poorer members of his community. Agnes is drawn to him because of his charitable nature and intellectual sincerity, which stand in clear contrast to the superficial attitudes present within the Murray household and their social circle. I will leave the rest for the reader to discover.

Now to my personal opinion.

I very much enjoyed reading this book, as I have already mentioned. Although it was written two hundred years ago, it still holds relevance today, and readers can learn a great deal from it. There are many passages that invite reflection. Because this book has taught me so much, I would like to highlight one that I found particularly striking:

“It is foolish to wish for beauty. Sensible people never either desire it for themselves or care about it in others. If the mind be but well cultivated, and the heart well disposed, no one ever cares for the exterior.”

I consider this to be one of the most meaningful passages in the novel, as it expresses an idea that remains highly relevant. It does not matter what a person looks like on the outside; rather, it is what a person chooses to be on the inside that truly matters. I believe that anyone can change their mindset if they possess the right attitude, the willingness to be open-minded, and the ability to consider the opinions of others—while also remembering to question their own beliefs. 

A kind heart can go a long way. 

And now, to quote Anne Brontë one last time, I believe I have said sufficient.