"My footsteps were the first to press the firm, unbroken sands;—nothing before had trampled them since last night’s flowing tide had obliterated the deepest marks of yesterday [...] Refreshed, delighted, invigorated, I walked along, forgetting all my cares, feeling as if I had wings to my feet, and could go at least forty miles without fatigue, and experiencing a sense of exhilaration to which I had been an entire stranger since the days of early youth." (Agnes Grey, Chapter 24)
Art by Edmund Dulac for The Novels of the Bronte Sisters, Dent 1905
Greetings, dearest Janeites! Again I bid you a hearty welcome to the Austen-Brontë reader series and the final week in our passage through the pages of Agnes Grey. Today we finish our three week series covering Anne Brontë's first novel by taking a brief yet thoughtful look at Chapters 18-25.
Summary and First Impressions
Rosalie Murray becomes Lady Ashby on the first of June. Agnes hopes the change will be beneficial to her and inwardly forgives Rosalie for all the pain she has caused her. One positive to Rosalie's absence is that Agnes is free to visit the cottagers again. Nancy Brown's eyesight is improving, but Agnes still enjoys visiting her. They discuss Mr. Weston, neither one knowing for sure if he will indeed be leaving their parish. That Sunday, Agnes watches Mr. Weston very closely, in order to detect any hints of despondency in relation to Rosalie's recent marriage. Agnes is secretly glad to note that the curate seems no worse for wear.
Frequently bored in her sister's absence, Matilda begins to go with Agnes to the homes of the poor cottagers. On one of these visits, the two of them see Mr. Weston. Matilda soon runs ahead, leaving Agnes and Mr. Weston to speak alone. They discuss Rosalie's marriage, first and foremost wishing the girl well, but expressing their concerns. Agnes regrets that she was unable to bring Rosalie to reason– what with the notorious reputation of Sir Ashby– and prevent her social-climbing marriage. Mr. Weston assures her that she did all she could, and to not blame herself in any way. Soon, a letter arrives for Agnes from home. It reveals that her father's health has deteriorated even further and both her mother and sister bid she return as soon as possible. Mrs. Murray does not allow Agnes to leave right away but allows her go on holiday a few days early. Sadly, Mr. Grey passes away before Agnes reaches home.
After Mr. Grey's funeral, the family must decide how to proceed. Agnes's older sister, Mary, offers Mrs. Grey a place at her husband's rectory, but Agnes and her mother decide to open a boarding school for the income. This will allow Agnes to leave her governess position with the Murrays, although she must return to work for an additional six weeks. Mrs. Grey finds a house in a popular seaside town and begins the school while Agnes leaves her childhood home one final time, traveling to the Murray's home to conclude her time teaching Matilda.
I will not dilate upon the feelings with which I left the old house, the well-known garden, the little village church—then doubly dear to me, because my father, who, for thirty years, had taught and prayed within its walls, lay slumbering now beneath its flags—and the old bare hills, delightful in their very desolation, with the narrow vales between, smiling in green wood and sparkling water—the house where I was born, the scene of all my early associations, the place where throughout life my earthly affections had been centred;—and left them to return no more! (Agnes Grey, Chapter 20)
Agnes goes on walks habitually, contemplating the great changes taking place in her life. While she is out one day, in the usual fashion, Agnes meets Mr. Weston. With a heavy heart, she tells him of her plans to leave and they do not meet again until the Sunday before her departure. After the service Mr. Weston comes to tell Agnes farewell and they both express their wish to meet again. After leaving the Murray's home, Agnes moves in with her mother at the school and finds that she enjoys schoolteaching much more than governess work. As time passes with no word from Mr. Weston, however, Agnes begins to lose hope in ever seeing or hearing from him again. Her sorrow becomes outwardly visible in her appearance, with Mrs. Grey supposing her daughter is working too hard. Her mother's notice, however, causes Agnes to become cognisant of her depressed state, and she vows to focus on her work and God's plan for her life with a renewed sense of gratitude and cheerfulness.
During the summer, Agnes receives a letter from Rosalie Ashby, her former pupil. The girl reveals she is incredibly unhappy and invites Agnes to visit. Once Agnes arrives at Ashby Park, Rosalie– who is now mother to a baby girl– shares that she thinks her husband is horrid and feels the same about her condescending mother-in-law. She is additionally unhappy at having left the vibrant London scene, but she had been attracting the romantic attentions of other men, both those she knew and those she did not know, causing Sir Ashby great envy.
When she is not with Rosalie, Agnes mourns the fact that Mr. Weston is no longer the parish curate and thus there is no chance of their meeting during her stay. In private, Rosalie complains to her former governess about Sir Ashby's routine drunkenness, intense gambling habit, and adulterous nature. Agnes proposes that Rosalie try to imbue her own intelligence into relations with her husband, in an attempt to better Sir Ashby. At this, Rosalie admits that she regrets not listening to Agnes's concerns about Sir Ashby before her marriage, being instead blinded by greed and the promise of high social rank. Gentle Agnes's heart bleeds for the girl and she says that if Sir Ashby refuses to change to seek solace in her faith and devote herself to her daughter. Unfortunately, these suggestions fall largely on deaf ears, with Rosalie claiming it is the husband's job to bend to the will of his wife, not the other way around, and despising the notion of occupying herself with motherhood as she believes it will stand as a continual reminder that she will not be youthful and beautiful forever.
Of course, I pitied her exceedingly; as well for her false idea of happiness and disregard of duty, as for the wretched partner with whom her fate was linked. I said what I could to comfort her, and offered such counsels as I thought she most required: advising her, first, by gentle reasoning, by kindness, example, and persuasion, to try to ameliorate her husband [...] I exhorted her to seek consolation in doing her duty to God and man, to put her trust in Heaven, and solace herself with the care and nurture of her little daughter; assuring her she would be amply rewarded by witnessing its progress in strength and wisdom, and receiving its genuine affection. (Agnes Grey, Chapter 23)
Agnes looks forward to going home and, upon her return, resumes the routines she had begun to settle into with her mother. She finds great joy in walking along the beach near the school and on one walk at dawn she, quite by chance, encounters Mr. Weston. He reveals that he has been searching for her ever since she left her position with the Murrays and that the new parish he had been assigned is located just two miles outside the very coastal town where Agnes lives. Agnes gives Mr. Weston her address and he promises to call very soon.
Mrs. Grey notices her daughter's absent-mindedness upon her return from her walk, and Agnes shares that she encountered Mr. Weston, the curate from the Murray's parish, and that he will call on them the following day. Over the next few weeks Mr. Weston becomes a frequent guest– and dear friend– showing attention and care to both Agnes and her mother.
The two young friends frequently walk along the beach, and it is on one of these rambles that Mr. Weston tells Agnes that more than anything he wishes that she would be his life's companion. Agnes– ever concerned for her mother's wellbeing– tells her love that she will need her mother's permission. Happily for everyone, it turns out Mr. Weston and Mrs. Grey have already discussed the matter, and with that knowledge Agnes agrees wholeheartedly. She waits to wed Mr. Weston until another teacher can be found to take her place at the boarding school, but in the end, she and Mr. Weston marry, have three children together, and are very happy.
I became the wife of Edward Weston; and never have found cause to repent it, and am certain that I never shall. We have had trials, and we know that we must have them again; but we bear them well together, and endeavour to fortify ourselves and each other against the final separation—that greatest of all afflictions to the survivor. But, if we keep in mind the glorious heaven beyond, where both may meet again, and sin and sorrow are unknown, surely that too may be borne; and, meantime, we endeavour to live to the glory of Him who has scattered so many blessings in our path. (Agnes Grey, Chapter 25)
Sadly, with those words, we must now conclude our rapid reading foray into Anne Brontë's Agnes Grey. Keep an eye out for a quick wrap-up post released next Tuesday, December 17th. As always, I greatly appreciate you reading along with me, dearest Janeites. Farewell!
If you enjoyed this article, as always, please consider making a donation to keep all online Jane Austen Summer programming free to the public. Thank you.
Comments