# Agnes Grey — Agnes Grey character guide > Agnes Grey in Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Miss Grey, Grey, Dear Miss Grey, Agnes **First appearance:** 0000-i-the-parsonage ## Snapshot A clergyman's daughter who becomes a governess to win independence, only to find her patience and principles tested by everyone she serves. ## Who they are Agnes enters the world of paid employment with quiet resolve, determined to earn her own way rather than remain a burden on her family. She is thoughtful, observant, and morally serious, but her sensitivity makes her vulnerable to the casual cruelty of employers who treat her as furniture. Her habit of measuring herself against others' expectations — and her growing attraction to a man she can only admire from a distance — shapes the story's central tension between duty and desire. ## Relationships ### [Edward Weston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters/edward_weston) _romantic_ Agnes and Edward develop a deep, mutual affection and respect, culminating in a romantic union. ### [Mr. Hatfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters/mr_hatfield) _rivalry_ Mr. Hatfield is a pompous, hypocritical clergyman who pursues Agnes condescendingly, but she rejects him and sees through his vanity. ### [Rosalie Murray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters/rosalie_murray) _professional_ Agnes is the governess to Rosalie, a spoiled and flirtatious young woman whom she tries to guide but often finds frustrating. ### [Thomas Ashby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters/thomas_ashby) _social_ Agnes knows Thomas Ashby as Rosalie's eventual husband, a wealthy but dissolute and cruel man. ### [Nancy Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters/nancy_brown) _friendship_ Agnes forms a warm, supportive friendship with the humble and devout Nancy Brown, visiting and comforting her. ### [Mr. Bloomfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters/mr_bloomfield) _professional_ Mr. Bloomfield is Agnes's first employer, a coarse, ill-tempered man who undermines her authority as governess. ### [Lady Ashby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters/lady_ashby) _social_ Agnes meets Lady Ashby as the proud, cold mother of Thomas Ashby, and observes her disdain for those beneath her station. ### [Mr. Hatfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters/mr_hatfield) _rivalry_ Mr. Hatfield is a pompous, hypocritical clergyman who pursues Agnes condescendingly, but she rejects him and sees through his vanity. ### [Edward Weston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters/edward_weston) _romantic_ Agnes and Edward develop a deep, mutual affection and respect, culminating in a romantic union. ### [Edward Weston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters/edward_weston) _romantic_ Agnes and Edward develop a deep, mutual affection and respect, culminating in a romantic union. ### [Thomas Ashby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters/thomas_ashby) _social_ Agnes knows Thomas Ashby as Rosalie's eventual husband, a wealthy but dissolute and cruel man. ### [Rosalie Murray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters/rosalie_murray) _professional_ Agnes is the governess to Rosalie, a spoiled and flirtatious young woman whom she tries to guide but often finds frustrating. ## In the story ### [The Parsonage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/i-the-parsonage) Narrator and protagonist; the younger daughter, eager to become a governess and help her family after their financial ruin. ### [First Lessons in the Art of Instruction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/ii-first-lessons-in-the-art-of-instruction) Agnes begins her first day as governess, trying to manage the Bloomfield children and navigate Mrs. Bloomfield's coldness. ### [A Few More Lessons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/iii-a-few-more-lessons) Endures the daily trials of teaching the Bloomfield children, striving to maintain patience and integrity despite harsh criticism from Mr. and Mrs. Bloomfield. ### [IV: The Grandmamma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/iv-the-grandmamma) The governess, struggling to control the Bloomfield children and feeling unsupported by their parents. ### [The Uncle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/v-the-uncle) Narrator and governess, frustrated by Uncle Robson's influence and ultimately dismissed from Wellwood House. ### [The Parsonage Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/vi-the-parsonage-again) Returns home and decides to seek another governess position to support her family. ### [VII: Horton Lodge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/vii-horton-lodge) The governess at Horton Lodge, reflecting on her treatment and the character of her pupils. ### [VIII: The “Coming Out”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/viii-the-coming-out) Agnes reads a letter from her sister Mary, announcing her engagement to Mr. Richardson. She defends her sister's choice of a quiet, virtuous life against Rosalie's scorn, and firmly decides to return home for Christmas despite Rosalie's pleas. ### [The Ball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/ix-the-ball) Returns from her four weeks' recreation and listens to the Murray sisters' accounts of the ball and Matilda's new mare. ### [X: The Church](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/x-the-church) Agnes observes and reflects on the clergymen's styles, defending Mr. Weston's sincerity against Rosalie's criticism. ### [XI: The Cottagers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/xi-the-cottagers) Narrator and governess; finds solace in visiting cottagers and reflecting on her own moral development. ### [XII: The Shower](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/xii-the-shower) Visits Nancy Brown, reads to her, helps with sewing, and interacts with Mr. Weston. ### [XIV: The Rector](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/xiv-the-rector) Agnes is drawing for Rosalie, endures Mrs. Murray's reproaches, runs an errand to Mark Wood, meets Mr. Weston, and learns of Rosalie's refusal of Mr. Hatfield. ### [XV: The Walk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/xv-the-walk) Accompanies Rosalie on the walk; has a meaningful conversation with Mr. Weston about friendship and reading; feels wronged when Rosalie monopolizes him. ### [The Substitution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/xvi-the-substitution) Agnes experiences inward happiness and hope after a brief, intimate exchange with Mr. Weston, despite Rosalie's manipulations. ### [Confessions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/xvii-confessions) Agnes confesses her deep, secret love for Mr. Weston and her feelings of unworthiness and sorrow. ### [Mirth and Mourning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/xviii-mirth-and-mourning) Bids farewell to Rosalie after her wedding, visits Nancy Brown, observes Mr. Weston unchanged, and later receives news of her father's death, returning home to find him dead. ### [The Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/xix-the-letter) Agnes supports her mother's plan to open a school and offers her savings to furnish the house. ### [XX: The Farewell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/xx-the-farewell) Narrator; returns to Horton Lodge after her father's death, struggling with grief and unrequited feelings for Mr. Weston; prepares to leave for her mother's new school. ### [XXI: The School](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/xxi-the-school) Agnes leaves Horton Lodge to start a school with her mother, struggles with her feelings for Mr. Weston, and resolves to focus on her duties. ### [The Visit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/xxii-the-visit) Visits Rosalie at Ashby Park; observes Rosalie's unhappiness and altered appearance; inquires about Mr. Weston. ### [XXIII: The Park](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/xxiii-the-park) Narrator and visitor at Ashby Park; offers moral counsel to Lady Ashby. ### [The Sands](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/xxiv-the-sands) Agnes enjoys a solitary morning walk on the sands, reflecting on the beauty of the sea and feeling invigorated. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/xxv-conclusion) Narrator and protagonist; reflects on her courtship with Mr. Weston and their marriage. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters/agnes_grey - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters