# Mary Ann — Agnes Grey character guide

> Mary Ann in Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mary, Mary Ann, Miss Mary Ann

**First appearance:** 0000-i-the-parsonage

## Snapshot

Agnes's elder sister, whose sensible advice and affectionate support steady Agnes through the trials of governessing.

## Who they are

Mary Ann is the elder Grey sister, married and settled, who offers Agnes practical counsel and a sympathetic ear when the hardships of her position threaten to overwhelm her. She represents the quiet domestic alternative to Agnes's chosen independence — a life of modest comfort and family affection. Her steady presence reminds Agnes, and the reader, that she is not entirely alone in a world that often treats her as invisible.

## Relationships

### [Mr. Bloomfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters/mr_bloomfield)

_family_

Mary Ann is the young, unruly daughter of Mr. Bloomfield, who neglects and harshly disciplines his children.

### [Mrs. Bloomfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters/mrs_bloomfield)

_family_

Mrs. Bloomfield is Mary Ann's mother, a weak, ineffectual woman who spoils her children but fails to control them.

### [Mr. Bloomfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters/mr_bloomfield)

_family_

Mary Ann is the young, unruly daughter of Mr. Bloomfield, who neglects and harshly disciplines his children.

### [Mrs. Bloomfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters/mrs_bloomfield)

_family_

Mrs. Bloomfield is Mary Ann's mother, a weak, ineffectual woman who spoils her children but fails to control them.

### [Mr. Bloomfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters/mr_bloomfield)

_family_

Mary Ann is the young, unruly daughter of Mr. Bloomfield, who neglects and harshly disciplines his children.

## In the story

### [The Parsonage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/i-the-parsonage)

Agnes's older sister; she is dejected after the family's financial loss and disapproves of Agnes's plan to become a governess.

### [First Lessons in the Art of Instruction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/ii-first-lessons-in-the-art-of-instruction)

Mary Ann, the elder daughter, is affected and attention-seeking, with a simper and a love for her doll.

### [A Few More Lessons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/iii-a-few-more-lessons)

A stubborn and inattentive pupil who refuses to learn, throws tantrums, and frequently runs to the nursery against her mother's wishes.

### [IV: The Grandmamma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/iv-the-grandmamma)

One of the Bloomfield pupils; participates in mischief and is described as worse than her sisters.

### [The Uncle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/v-the-uncle)

A pupil susceptible to flattery, encouraged by Uncle Robson to be vain and affected.

### [The Parsonage Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/vi-the-parsonage-again)

Agnes's sister, who has had success with her drawings and supports Agnes's decision.

### [VIII: The “Coming Out”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/viii-the-coming-out)

Mary is mentioned as Agnes's sister, who is engaged to Mr. Richardson, the vicar of a neighbouring parish. Agnes describes her as sober and content, and expects her to be happy in her new life.

### [The Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/xix-the-letter)

Mary offers to have their mother live with her and Mr. Richardson, but Mrs. Grey declines.

### [XXI: The School](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/xxi-the-school)

Agnes's sister Mary, who sends a letter that Agnes initially mistakes for one from Mr. Weston.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters/mary_ann
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters