The Role Of Women In Anne Bronte's Agnes Gray Essay

“A little swells it, but a great deal will not burst it,” is a famous quote from Anges Grey. Agnes Grey, by Anne Bronte, was first published in December 1847. Anne Bronte was an English novelist and poet. She was born on January 17th, 1820 being the youngest member of the Bronte family. Anne had only published two novels and a book of poems with her sister. Her first book was Anges Grey and the second book she published was The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. The one and only award she won was the good-conduct medal in 1836.

Anges Grey is the main character of the book, there are many other characters we see along the way though. Agnes was born the youngest of two sisters. She grew up in a circumstance where her parents kept her and her sister secluded, only seeing neighbors or family every so often. They were also homeschooled. She always looked on the bright side of things. As a person, she never saw herself as extraordinary. She is described as pale with hollow cheeks and ordinary brown hair. By the age of 19, Agnes decided she wanted to be a governess, a woman employed to teach children in a private household. She is excited but very nervous and scared while she starts off on her adventure.

Agnes was very poor when she went into the business of governess. Her father invested all of his money into a merchant who had not earned any money. He soon went into a depression so she decided she was to help by earning money to pay off the debt. Anges’ entire family thought it was a silly thing for her to become a governess. She was determined and she proved them wrong, she had found a job with the Bloomfields. This was her first time being far from home and for such a long time. The Bloomfields have 4 kids. The children are very bold and lively. Tom, who is 7 years old, has flaxen hair, blue eyes, and a fair complexion. Then there is Mary Ann, who is 6 years old, tall, round-faced, and has high cheekbones. Fanny is just 4 years old, she is very pretty and has not learned anything yet. Last is Harriet, who is 2 years old, is playful and plump, but Agnes will not have to be her governess. The mother was a little more stern. Agnes felt an unpleasant restraint when around her. She is led to the schoolroom, this is where she will be most of the day, teaching the kids. Tom is the leader of them all, being the oldest son he was given this responsibility. From time to time, he even hit his sister to put her in line. He tells Agnes that, for fun, he kills and tortures birds. She was disgusted but Mr. Bloomfield encourages this behavior since he is a “man.”

The following day, Agnes begins her teachings. At first, she was just to teach Mary Ann and Tom. She learns that Mary Ann can barely read and write and is inattentive. They wanted to do anything but learn so Agnes took them all outside to play. While playing in the pebbles and dirt, Mr. Bloomfield saw and scorned Agnes for allowing this behavior. Mr. Bloomfield, the father, was a rude, ordinary man between thirty and forty years old. They were at dinner when Mr. Bloomfield all of a sudden got very upset. He decided the meat was cooked wrong so none of them were to eat it. After this incident, the kids had made their way to bed. Mary Ann was expected to go to bed at seven o’clock and Tom at eight o’clock. When they all woke up that morning, they began their lesson for the day. Agnes learned that they had no obedience towards her at all. Tom began hitting her as well and she believed she could not do anything about it. The only weapons she had to use against them were patience, firmness, and perseverance. All in all, she had to force the children to learn. They would kick, scream, and do the lessons horribly on purpose. When she would not finish their lesson, she would try to keep her from playing. If this does not work she would shake Mary Ann violently, pull her hair, or put her in a corner. You would think the mother would do something about the behavior but she does nothing. She would instead criticize every little thing Agnes did and blamed the behavior of the children on her.

Fanny began her schoolwork, but she was just as horrible as her siblings. She wanted to quit but she kept reminding herself that this was all for her parents and sister. The only time she was allowed to go home and visit family was near Christmas time and only for a fortnight. At one point Agnes had to hold Tom against the wall to prevent him from destroying her stuff. He then convinced Fanny to throw her bag into the fireplace and Mary Ann to throw the desk out the window. Agnes had to let go of Tom to save her belongings. While she was doing that, the kids had run off into the snow. Mr. Bloomfield again had seen this event and thought Agnes quite stupid for not being able to call them inside. A few weeks after this, Mr. Bloomfield's mother had moved in with them for a little bit. She was very nice to Agnes and spoke to her in respect. Another family member that came frequently to visit was Mrs. Bloomfield’s brother. He was no gentleman whatsoever. He encouraged the kids to do evil, got inside Mary Ann's head about her appearance, and drank a fair amount. He was also very brutal towards his dogs.

Soon Mrs. Bloomfield talked with Agnes and had said the kids have not learned much of anything and she was to leave. Agnes was very hurt by this and thought everyone would think of her as a failure. She headed home that night. Agnes was home for a few months before finding another job. Her mother and father again are against this but she ends up getting a job anyways, this time with the Murrays. She left for Horton Lodge on January 31st but arrived very late at night so she decided just to go to her room and sleep. She meets the children the next day. The Murrays have four kids. Rosalie is 16 years old, she is very pretty, tall and slender, pale blue eyes and light brown hair. She is very cold towards Agnes at first but she soon lightens up. Matilda is 14 years old, she has larger features and darker skin. She is full of life, vigor, careless and swears frequently. John is 11 years old, he is a fine, healthy boy, but not properly educated. Last is Charles who is 10 years old, he is small, pale, and robust. Agnes only had to teach the boys for around a year before they were sent off to boarding school. The children were not as bad as the Bloomfields but were mischievous at times.

Rosalie turns 18 and is now starting to look for a suitor. She attends many balls and wants Agnes to be there to see her in her dress. She even wants Agnes to postpone her trip back home but her sister is getting married. When she gets back, Rosalie tells us about how at the ball there were four particular men who wanted her. The four men were; Harry Meltham, Mr. Hatfield, Sir Thomas, and Mr. Green. Agnes just advises Rosalie to stay single and keep her options open. The next Sunday, they all attend church together. Agnes meets the four men, she thinks of them as arrogant and rude. None of the men made an effort to talk to her and would even disinclude her. One man the girls were very fond of was Harry Meltham. The two sisters often fought over him. With the girls swooning over these men, Agnes had lots of time to herself. She started to visit nursery homes, sometimes with the girls and sometimes without. She had two elders she mostly hung out with, Nancy and another old man. She read to both of these nearly daily for they were blind or sick. One afternoon while reading to Nancy, Mr. Weston also came to visit. He was handsome, kind, and full of faith.

Occasionally, the girls and Agnes would walk home from church instead of taking the carriage. Agnes felt ignored and would often be left behind. One day she fell behind while picking primroses. Mr. Weston came out of nowhere, gathering the flowers for her. This made her a bit uncomfortable for she never thought she could love a man. When they finally went their separate ways, Rosalie teases Agnes for talking to him. She should not be talking though because she has been spending a lot of time with Mr. Hatfield. She would go to the park frequently just to see him. Agnes figures out that the only reason she talks to him is for amusement, she, in reality, likes Sir Thomas Ashby. Hatfield ends up proposing to Rosalie. She evidently denies his request, though he does try three more times.