Agnes Grey

Agnes, a young girl of 18 when the story begins, is the protagonist and narrator of the novel. The daughter of a clergyman and a squire’s daughter, she describes herself as having a “pale hollow cheek,” ordinary dark brown hair, dark grey eyes, and “intellect in the forehead” (107). Agnes has been taught that inward character and virtue are more important than beauty, and she only begins to pay attention to her appearance and dress when she develops an attraction to Mr. Weston. Agnes disapproves when others are vain, selfish, headstrong, or temperamental since she was taught to be cooperative and put others first.

Agnes was a compliant child who craved affection. One reason she becomes a governess is to try to ease the economic burden on her parents, whom she cherishes deeply. Her mother is her role model and guide, and Agnes is shocked when other women do not demonstrate the same nurturing, maternal impulses, such as Mrs. Bloomfield, Mrs. Murray, or Rosalie. Agnes has also been taught to hold her tongue and so does not defend herself when her employers scold her but resolves to try harder. Agnes believes women should exhibit decorous behavior, modest speech, and intelligence, and focus on others rather than themselves. She is glad when she can help others, like reading to a poor woman, Nancy Brown.

Agnes cares for her fellow creatures, animal and human, and she tries to teach her charges to be considerate of others’ feelings. She abhors cruelty and judges others by their treatment of animals. She has a clear opinion of right and wrong and hastens to share that with her charges. One of the most painful parts of being a governess, for her, is the lack of consideration she receives. She craves kindness and companionship, particularly from those who ostensibly share her moral values. Being a governess leaves her feeling lonely and isolated, and once she develops feelings for Mr. Weston, her loneliness becomes more acute.

Agnes values a calm, steady nature and prides herself on not showing her hurt. At the same time, this careful control can prevent her from being honest about her comfort, preferences, and desires. When Mr. Weston surprises her with the offer of an umbrella when it is raining, she admits that her reflexive refusal is foolish, but she habitually denies her needs and wants. This restraint of emotion was a hallmark of Anne Brontë’s character, according to the biographical note by her sister Charlotte. Charlotte described Anne as “long-suffering, self-denying, reflective, and intelligent,” with “a constitutional reserve and taciturnity” that “placed her and kept her in the shade” (160). All of this might be said of Agnes as well, and so Agnes’s personality is perhaps the most strongly autobiographical feature of the novel.

While she sets out as a governess to prove herself to her family and test her abilities, Agnes matures over the course of the book and comes to accept her capabilities. Her hopes for her future are modest and in keeping with her moral principles and social class. Her strong Christian beliefs and morality are Agnes’s most defining features. She is ruled by common sense and values self-mastery, using internal monologues to discipline her emotions, and Brontë endorses these traits by rewarding Agnes with true happiness.

Edward Weston is introduced about halfway through the book as Agnes’s love interest. Though his age isn’t given, he is old enough to have graduated from university and attain a position as curate. His family is not described, though Agnes learns that he cared for his mother, who died shortly before he gained his appointment, and he seems to be an only child. His class background is likewise not described, but he does not seem to have independent wealth, as he must wait until he has a living before he can propose marriage to Agnes.

Rosalie first refers to Mr. Weston as a “beast,” an “insensate, ugly, stupid blockhead” (62), but the reader soon learns that Rosalie is indignant because Mr. Weston is not impressed by her beauty or station. Agnes agrees that he is not handsome, but she betrays her careful attention in describing his features: just above middle size, with a square face that “announced decision of character,” dark brown hair and brown eyes are “deepset, but strikingly brilliant, full of expression; there was character, too, in the mouth” (78). Agnes regards him as “a man of strong sense, firm faither, and ardent piety, but thoughtful and stern” (78), all of which she finds attractive.

While he comes across as serious and not at all flirtatious in his conduct toward Agnes, he picks her flowers—first primroses, then bluebells—that show he is paying attention to her preferences. They share a love of books and reading. His kindness toward the cottagers shows the same integrity and consideration for others as Agnes, which make him an appropriate companion for her. His suitability is confirmed when Agnes and Mr. Weston are reunited, and he is preceded by her dog Snap. His bringing the dog demonstrates his interest in Agnes, and the dog’s loyalty to him shows Agnes she is correct in her evaluation of his character.

Rosalie Murray is the eldest daughter of Mr. Murray, a “blustering, roystering, country squire,” and Mrs. Murray, a “handsome, dashing lady of forty” (48). She is tall and slender, “perfectly formed, exquisitely fair,” her hair a light brown verging on blonde, and her eyes a pale, clear, bright blue (50). Agnes says that Rosalie can be agreeable but is very temperamental, guided largely by her desires and feelings. Agnes attributes Rosalie’s failings not to disposition but to education, explaining that “she had not been taught to moderate her desires, to control her temper, or bridle her will, or to sacrifice her own pleasure for the good of others” (51). In this, Rosalie provides a foil to Agnes, who has been taught all these things and values them.

Rosalie’s attitudes toward love and marriage likewise contrast and highlight those that Agnes holds. Rosalie enjoys the admiration of others, and exciting the interest of men is a form of entertainment for her. She enjoys inspiring affection or at least homage. When she describes Mr. Hatfield’s proposal to Agnes, Rosalie is not concerned that she might have hurt his feelings by refusing him; rather, she recounts with glee that she was able to behave with cool scorn and never once forgot the differences in their station.

Rosalie places no value on romantic love but rather sees marriage as an arrangement where the husband ought to cater to the wife, and her wishes should rule. She accepts Sir Thomas because he can make her Lady Ashby, the mistress of Ashby Park. When she comes to regret her choice, as Sir Thomas is not a pleasant companion, Rosalie blames her mother for encouraging the match. This lack of introspection indicates that Rosalie is ultimately a static character.