Author: Anne Bronte
Narrator: Rachel Bavidge
Playback: 7hrs 37m
Publisher: Naxos Audiobooks
Genre: Classics, Historical, Victorian
First Published: December 1847
Book description: Drawing heavily from personal experience, Anne Brontë wrote Agnes Grey in an effort to represent the many 19th Century women who worked as governesses and suffered daily abuse as a result of their position.
Having lost the family savings on risky investments, Richard Grey removes himself from family life and suffers a bout of depression. Feeling helpless and frustrated, his youngest daughter, Agnes, applies for a job as a governess to the children of a wealthy, upper-class, English family.
Ecstatic at the thought that she has finally gained control and freedom over her own life, Agnes arrives at the Bloomfield mansion armed with confidence and purpose. The cruelty with which the family treat her however, slowly but surely strips the heroine of all dignity and belief in humanity.
A tale of female bravery in the face of isolation and subjugation, Agnes Grey is a masterpiece claimed by Irish writer, George Moore, to be possessed of all the qualities and style of a Jane Austen title. Its simple prosaic style propels the narrative forward in a gentle yet rhythmic manner which continuously leaves the listener wanting to know more.
Review:
Agnes Grey, is an easy-to-read novel, exposing the coming-of-age, growth, the endurance of exploitation, by the governesses in Victorian England, and many more stifling issues. It is a social commentary, on how the high class would look down on their hired help and treat them as lesser people, and have unrealistic high expectations while limiting them in every way possible, its as if they set them up for failure simply to have the satisfaction of telling them "See, you couldn't do it? I knew you weren't good enough."
According to me, Agnes Grey, shouldn’t be limited to the hardships and tormenting of the governesses in Victorian England alone, but can be extrapolated to modern-day and age relationships and friendships! I think this book had the first examples of Karens.
Moving on, so let's look into what we have here.
Agnes is the youngest daughter in the family. At the start, we get to know a little background on family life. Her mother was the daughter of a high-class family, but when she choose to marry below their station she gets disinherited. She decides to leave behind her family money and spend her life as the wife of a middle-class working class.
He is the most affected by the choice, his pride is not over that decision even 2 decades after his wife decided to start a life with him. Their family is stricken by misfortune- I think its more like they fall for the sake of pretence.
The father decides to give most of their fortune to a merchant, he, of course, promises he will make double or more and will be able to live a comfortable life afterward. The man overconfident, decides that the family can live enjoying life, once they get their fortune they will be able to pay it back. And that's when fate decides to bite them in the ass.
The family now has to cut back because they can't keep the pretense, and on top of all- they have debts. The wife and daughters need to catch the slack. The father becomes depressed and pretty much gives up. If you can't tell, I have a predisposition to dislike him since the moment when he gives up because of this.
Agenes is the baby of the family. Her mother and sister do not let her take any responsibility for the household and are not allowed to try to do any crafts in order to bring money over to the family. So what does she decide?
She decides that she can become a governess. She manages to get hired to take care of small children and she starts so hopeful, with a high spirit. She imagines that the family will treat her with respect and even maybe consider her part of the family and she will manage to have a life long friendship with them.
That does not happen. She is treated like a lesser person.
The lady of the house expects her to give in to the children's every whim and does not allow her to raise her voice or command the children. She wants Agnes to ask them nicely to do things and with that, it should be enough so the kids decide to make good choices. When she tries to discipline the children- the parent belittle her and do not offer any backup. If she tells the children to not do something because its not right or they will make a mess or whatever, the child makes a fuss - the mother comes in and tells Agnes right there in front of the child that the kids are allowed to do the activity. So after losing any high ground because the children know that they are allowed to do whatever they want. Oh the little devils taunt and antagonize the governess because after all what can she do?
The family lets her go because she does not cut it out. She is not doing any improvement in the children's education or manners. The fault- its Agnes because she's too inexperienced and did not manage to inspire the children kids who are barely above toddlers to become good young masters and mistresses.
She goes back home and decides to try again. Agnes still has very high hopes for the next family, she will after all have experience and will know how to behave in the next interactions. Spoiler- it goes pretty similar, the family is still an awful employer and so full of themselves.
It's true that even with all the love and respect that parents give to their children, and all the selflessness that we can show in our relationships, there are still cases where we can be taken for granted or even reprimanded. Unfortunately, not everyone will return that same level of love and respect to us. It's a sad reality of modern-day relationships. Regardless of how she's treated in her multiple governess employment, she proves to be the better person. Agnes Grey is a remarkable individual who does not seek revenge for any mistreatment she may receive. Instead, she focuses on improving her circumstances with great determination and enthusiasm. She takes action to change her job and situation, working tirelessly to achieve her goals. Through her hard work and perseverance, Agnes sets an inspiring example for all those around her. the level of success cannot be measured by the passive change on those around her, some people refuse to change, they will never accept that their attitude has flaws.
Throughout the novel, we see Agnes constantly renewing her hope and spirit, even in the face of abuse, frivolity, and condemnation. She refuses to give in to any desire for revenge and instead remains centered and focused. Despite the many challenges she faces on her journey, she never loses her ardor or her zeal. Every time she falls, she picks herself back up again with renewed hope and energy, even in the face of yesterday's many disappointments.
This was used for the challenges:
Classics
Emily Fox readalong classic- for May June, this was the selection
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