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.
Comment: My first read of 2024!
I've decided to start the year with this classic and I've convinced a friend to read it too, and we will compare notes at the end of the week.
In this not too long novel (my edition has just a little over 200 pages) we meet Agnes Grey, a young woman who decides to become a governess upon realizing her family faces some difficulties. They believe she doesn't have to do this, but she is also determined to try and help them. While narrating her story, she not only reveals her thoughts but mainly the experiences of taking care of children and of trying to teach them, and how this isn't as easy as it might seem...
I tend to appreciate classics, obviously some much more than others, but I was curious about this story as soon as I realized the author used her own experience as base for this novel. I assumed we might have a slightly depressing story because of certain words I saw here and there and also because of the majority of covers used, but in the end I was positively surprised and I did enjoy reading this story.
Agnes Grey is one of those characters that one cannot help but like. And she is not simply likable, she is someone whose attitude and personality would be appreciated in any era. Agnes not only sees the struggles of her family, but she also decides to do something about it, especially at a time where her father's specific status might make others look down at her. They aren't rich nor as secure as they could, but they still are seen a certain way by others and I was quite proud of Agnes because she felt like helping instead of being morose about it, or entitled.
In fact, it was her attitude and awareness of reality that made me like her a bit more and root for her success. However, it must not be such a big surprise to know her experiences weren't a fairy tale nor a sweet step into wonderful situations or other similar plots we might find in romance novels. Agnes describes her experiences truthfully, but since this is narrated by her (perhaps with the author's own voice too), I feel certain things were simply alluded to and not really faithfully described. I suppose the cultural aspects of the time in which Anne Bronte wrote this counts as well.
Before my actual job, I worked for a woman whose mother had Alzheimer's. She always treated me well, as did her family, but it is true that the dynamics between people when they are playing certain roles does exist and does affect perceptions. I didn't have a situation in which I had to "discipline" the person I was caring for, due to obvious reasons, but other family members were around and yes, no matter how friendly, there's a definite way to treat them and speak with them, and vice versa. I could understand some of Agnes' thoughts and opinions when thinking about those she was supposed to teach and how frustrating a few decisions were.
The biggest issue in Agnes' work was how she was perceived as inferior in the social hierarchy and her work could not be simple, because she had to deal with children and their parents and when someone has the power in a relationship, that always changes everything. I could sympathize with Agnes when things didn't go well or when she felt she was being mistreated and how powerless she was to actually do something significant. I don't think we really appreciate a teacher's role in our lives...
Agnes learns and she endures a lot, but I was glad to notice she didn't become depressed because of those of things and of other personal issues. She certainly feels unappreciated, ignored at time, but she maintains her positive attitude and correct behavior (there's some preaching here and there, as expected, but nothing I felt was too heavy for those who don't care for this aspect), which might make her seem like some Mary Sue, but that I felt was true to her character and development.
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