"At length I descried, high up between the twisted roots of an oak, three lovely primroses [...] I could not reach them unless I climbed the bank, which I was deterred from doing by hearing a footstep at that moment behind me, and was, therefore, about to turn away, when I was startled by the words, 'Allow me to gather them for you, Miss Grey,' spoken in the grave, low tones of a well-known voice. Immediately the flowers were gathered, and in my hand. It was Mr. Weston, of course—who else would trouble himself to do so much for me?"
(Agnes Grey, Chapter 13)
Art by Edmund Dulac for The Novels of the Bronte Sisters, Dent 1905
Welcome, Janeites, to the second week of Agnes Grey. Here we continue our three weeks series, covering Anne Brontë's first novel as part of our Austen-Brontë reader blog series. Today, we will take a brief yet thoughtful look at Chapters 10-17.
Summary, First Impressions, and a Bit of Analysis
One Sunday, Rosalie inquires Agnes's opinion of Mr. Weston. Agnes gently reminds her pupil that they have not heard him speak in church yet and Rosalie reframes her question, as she wonders what her governess thinks of the curate in a purely physical light. He is a plain bore inside and out by Rosalie's standards, but Agnes is intrigued by the evidence to show of his kind heart, faithfulness, and intelligence. Rosalie then asks if Agnes has noticed Mr. Hatfield's attentive behavior towards her, a singular thoughtfulness that is collectively shown by all of Rosalie's beaux and never extended to Agnes. In order to see Harry Meltham again, Rosalie decides to return to church for the second service. Agnes decides to tag along, in order to hear Mr. Weston preach, noting the great differences between Mr. Hatfield and Mr. Weston's theology and personal convictions, as evidenced by their styles of preaching. Mr. Hatfield is more "fire and brimstone" while Mr. Weston is more "gentle shepherd".
One of the Murray's cottagers, Nancy Brown, is an elderly woman with failing eyes. Agnes begins to visit her in order to read the Bible aloud. One day, after her visits have become more routine, she is surprised to find Mr. Weston– the new curate– at Nancy's home upon her arrival. Agnes look up to Mr. Weston as a quiet, reflective man of faith and this visit juxtaposes character even more with that of the pretentious Mr. Hatfield, who completes his visits to poor or infirm parishioners as extensive check-boxes on his to-do list. He behaves condescendingly towards the individuals and rather cruelly towards their pets, wrapping each visit in a shroud of ill humor. Another day, Agnes visits and reads to a poor man ailed with tuberculosis. Mr. Weston is brought up in conversation by the man and his wife, with both of them complimentary of the kindness he has shown them in their time of need.
A few months later, Agnes visits Nancy and finds her agitated, as her cat has gone missing and she fears it will be killed by the gamekeepers employed by the Murrays. Agnes tries to keep her friend's mind on happier things, reading the Bible and sewing with her. Then, who should arrive but Mr. Weston, holding Nancy's cat in his arms. (I think this calls for a swoon.) Anne Brontë puts special emphasis throughout the novel on characters' moral goodness in relation to their behavior towards animals. Thus far, both Brontë's readers and her heroine have encountered quite the collection of characters who do not prioritize animals, so by his simple compassion, Mr. Weston is further distinguished as a virtuous man in Agnes's eyes.
Agnes meets Mr. Weston again one day, while walking. When the Murray girls go out on a walk, Agnes typically follows a ways behind them, as she is never acknowledged by Rosalie's friends or admirers. Agnes is surprised, then quietly elated when Mr. Weston engages her in sincere conversation and gathers roses for her – a particular bunch she had been eyeing but had been just out of her reach.
It seemed to me that another’s welfare was at least as ardently implored for as my own; nay, even that was the principal object of my heart’s desire. I might have been deceiving myself; but that idea gave me confidence to ask, and power to hope I did not ask in vain. As for the primroses, I kept two of them in a glass in my room until they were completely withered, and the housemaid threw them out; and the petals of the other I pressed between the leaves of my Bible—I have them still, and mean to keep them always. (Agnes Grey, Chapter 13)
One topic discussed by Mr. Weston and Agnes is that of home. He says that Agnes must be continually bolstered by her home and family, even when apart from them. To that, Agnes agrees. Later, it is revealed that Mr. Weston no longer has a home, due to some unrevealed familial loss, but that despite his sadness he has not lost hope. Helping others emboldens him and allows him respite from the melancholy thoughts and grief that press upon him, a point that Agnes considers after she and Mr. Weston part, as seen in the quoted selection below. Could the unfinished wish of Agnes Grey perhaps foreshadow what is to come?
"...he is not so miserable as I should be under such a deprivation: he leads an active life; and a wide field for useful exertion lies before him. He can make friends; and he can make a home too, if he pleases; and, doubtless, he will please some time. God grant the partner of that home may be worthy of his choice, and make it a happy one–such a home as he deserves to have! And how delightful it would be to–” But no matter what I thought. [...] I began this book with the intention of concealing nothing; that those who liked might have the benefit of perusing a fellow-creature’s heart: but we have some thoughts that all the angels in heaven are welcome to behold, but not our brother-men–not even the best and kindest amongst them. (Agnes Grey, Chapter 13)
Some time later, Agnes observes Rosalie walking– and flirting wildly– with Mr. Hatfield at the edge of the Murray's land. Mrs. Murray sharply reprimands Agnes for allowing Rosalie to be unchaperoned, yet when she relays this message to Rosalie, the girl protests she will never be in any danger. Her coquetry with Mr. Hatfield is simply enjoyment for her, nothing more. She would only ever consider settling down with a rich suitor, and Mr. Hatfield is not well-off. The topic soon turns to Rosalie's other admirers, particularly the rakish Sir Thomas Ashby. It is a commonly known fact that he possesses a horrid countenance, yet due to his affluence, Mrs. Murray champions the match. Rosalie, employing her materialistic mindset, learnt from her mother, only wishes to be mistress of Ashby Park. She does not care that she will injure Mr. Hatfield by encouraging him just to snub him in the end, despite Agnes's warnings.
A few days later, Rosalie and Agnes are out walking when– out of the blue– the former bids Agnes pay a visit and bring money to the consumptive cottager. She agrees and departs as Mr. Hatfield arrives, but Agnes thinks her quest worthy enough to leave Rosalie unattended. Agnes see Mr. Weston at the man's house and upon her return to the Murray's property is in a rather golden mood when Rosalie proclaims that she just turned down a proposal from Mr. Hatfield. Rosalie relates that he became upset and asked that she not tell anyone about the proposal, threatening to tell the entire parish that she had led him on. Rosalie agrees to his terms, but disregards them in sharing the news with Agnes. The latter requests the story be shared with Mrs. Murray, but that it ends there. As the days pass, Rosalie becomes apathetic and exasperated, wishing Mr. Hatfield had not proposed so quickly.
Agnes regularly runs into Mr. Weston while walking. One day in particular, they have a long and thoughtful conversation, which gives Agnes a slight glimmer of hope. Just as they are about to part ways, Rosalie– who had been walking with friends up ahead– interjects and pursues a flirtatious discourse with Mr. Weston. She later claims the young curate is madly in love with her. Not having any grounds to prove Rosalie's words true or false, Agnes is deeply wounded, yet bears her sorrow quietly.
I fear, by this time, the reader is well nigh disgusted with the folly and weakness I have so freely laid before him. I never disclosed it then, and would not have done so had my own sister or my mother been with me in the house. I was a close and resolute dissembler—in this one case at least. My prayers, my tears, my wishes, fears, and lamentations, were witnessed by myself and heaven alone. (Agnes Grey, Chapter 18)
As the days pass, Rosalie begins to anticipate receiving a proposal from Sir Ashby. In the meantime, however, what is a girl to do? Rosalie decides to entertain herself with the pursuit of "conquering" Mr. Weston, which is for Agnes a torturous pursuit. She passionately wishes she could be privy to Mr. Weston's true feelings. With every flirtatious word and charming action, Rosalie senses her governess's growing discomfort, and even goes so far as ladening Agnes with work so she has no time to visit the cottagers or go out walking alone, lest she encounter Mr. Weston. Often left to her own thoughts, Agnes begins to feel dissatisfied with her appearance, taking time to pray often, as well as musing on Christian morals and the unfair judgement of women on the basis of looks alone.
As expected, Sir Thomas Ashby soon throws a ball and it is there that he proposes to Rosalie Murray. She accepts and shares every detail with Agnes the following day. Out of character, however, Rosalie seems hesitant. Her reasoning is selfish– she does not want to give up her enjoyable, uncommitted life of flirtation and merrymaking. Even after Sir Ashby's question is asked and Rosalie's consent given, the girl deigns to think herself attached to only one man, imploring Agnes to keep quiet about the engagement so she can continue to flirt with her other admirers. Rosalie's attempts to separate Mr. Weston and Agnes, however, is not in the least foolproof. Against Rosalie's wishes, Matilda tells Agnes that when the sisters met the curate on a walk he inquired specifically after Agnes, as he had not seen her in some time.
Unfortunately, even with the impending marriage of Rosalie and Sir Thomas Ashby, all is not well with Agnes's romantic prospects. Due to Mr. Hatfield and Mr. Weston's differing views and approaches towards relations with parishioners, the latter will soon move. And to make matters worse, a letter arrives from the Grey household, and Agnes learns that her father is rapidly declining in health.
Things are looking rather dim for our gentle heroine, but we shall only have to wait to see if a happy ending is in store, as thus concludes this week's portion of Agnes Grey.
Keep an eye out for the next bite-sized installment of Anne Brontë's Agnes Grey, covering chapters 18-25, released next Tuesday, December 10th. A reading guide can be found here. But before we part, dear readers, I would love to know what you think. If you feel inclined, please use the comment feature below to share what you think so far regarding Agnes Grey.
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