Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte

What can one say about a Bronte sister's work? You can say that it is dark, you can say that it is usually based on their past and typically a reader can say it is good. Something that you can't usually say is it is funny or has a happy ending. However, Anne Bronte has managed to give her heroine a happy ending (without the hero being tragically maimed) and made me slightly chuckle. Anne Bronte's Agnes Grey certainly goes against the Bronte norm and ends with a happily ever after.

The heroine of this novel, Agnes Grey, goes to seek out a life for herself as a governess for the upper class. During her time as a governess, Agnes tries to manage her students studies as well as their moral character, but encounters obstacles in the form of her employers. These parents want her to manage their children and yet, never discipline them, which Agnes find incredibly difficult.

Anne Bronte took her own experiences as a governess to help her create this novel. It made me wonder how much of the story was autobiographical and how much was exaggeration. My guess is quite a lot was autobiographical as back then, governesses were not treated as well as they would be today (though there really are no such things as governesses anymore). In fact, I have a always found the character of the governess and the companion (see Jane Austen's work for a good look on companions) such an interesting species. They are in a very strange position as they are of a higher rank than the servants, but not part of the family. In fact governesses wouldn't eat in the kitchen with the servants they would eat with the family, but when company they would have to eat in their rooms as they were still hired help. The book does address this conflict. Agnes cannot get the servants to listen to her, because they don't feel like she is really above them, but the family does not include her in any of the social gatherings. Her reflections show it is hard position for a person to be in.

I find this book relevant in today's society for those who work as a nanny. They are in charge of the children, but not one of the family. They have to make the children behave, but the parents do not want them disciplining them. It is a fine line and Agnes Grey walks the tightrope throughout the novel and tends to fall most of the time.

If you have never read a Bronte before, this might be the best one to start with. It is a faster read than the others and not as complex, but it is still a really good novel. Anne Bronte never saw as much acclaim as her sisters, which I think is a shame. Her writing is good, it just happens to be a bit more realistic than the other Bronte's works.

So definitely stop by your local book store and pick up a copy!

Till next time,
R.F.F.