Agnes Grey · Character

Mr. Bloomfield

Agnes's first employer, a father whose children run wild and whose household blames the governess for faults he never bothers to correct himself.

supporting

Also known as Mr. Bloomfield, Master Tom Bloomfield, Tom, Master Tom, Master Bloomfield

First appearance: First Lessons in the Art of Instruction

As a supporting figure in Agnes Grey, Mr. Bloomfield is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Tom Bloomfield, the seven-year-old son, is cruel to animals and domineering, contradicting his mother's praise.

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Mr. Bloomfield presides over Wellwood House, where his children interrupt guests, rifle pockets, and know no shame, while his wife expects Agnes to impose order that neither parent supplies. He is less a tyrant than an absence, a father whose neglect lets Tom and Mary Ann become the trial that defines Agnes's first post. When the Bloomfields dismiss her for the children's want of improvement, the injustice sharpens her resolve and sets the pattern of blame she will meet again.

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Character Web

8 connections

A slice of how Mr. Bloomfield sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Family
Professional
Friendship
Other

Character groups

Family and early influences
Protagonist
Village life and minor characters
Moral and social contrasts

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this excerpt, the emotional and psychological peak occurs as Agnes articulates a profound shift from passiv…

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Relationships

Mary Ann
family · negative
Mary Ann is the young, unruly daughter of Mr. How this plays out →
Agnes Grey
professional · negative
Mr. Robson
friendship · negative
Mrs. Bloomfield
family · negative
Mary Ann
family · negative
Mary Ann is the young, unruly daughter of Mr. How this plays out →
Agnes Grey
professional · negative
Mary Ann
family · negative
Mary Ann is the young, unruly daughter of Mr. How this plays out →
Mr. Robson
friendship · negative
Mr. Robson
friendship · negative

Mary Ann
Mary Ann is the young, unruly daughter of Mr. Bloomfield, who neglects and harshly disciplines his children.
Agnes Grey
Mr. Bloomfield is Agnes's first employer, a coarse, ill-tempered man who undermines her authority as governess.
Mr. Robson
Mr. Bloomfield and Mr. Robson are coarse, drinking companions who share a love of hunting and a cruel, vulgar outlook.
Mrs. Bloomfield
Mr. and Mrs. Bloomfield are a married couple, with the husband domineering and abusive, and the wife submissive and ineffective.
Mary Ann
Mary Ann is the young, unruly daughter of Mr. Bloomfield, who neglects and harshly disciplines his children.
Agnes Grey
Mr. Bloomfield is Agnes's first employer, a coarse, ill-tempered man who undermines her authority as governess.
Mary Ann
Mary Ann is the young, unruly daughter of Mr. Bloomfield, who neglects and harshly disciplines his children.
Mr. Robson
Mr. Bloomfield and Mr. Robson are coarse, drinking companions who share a love of hunting and a cruel, vulgar outlook.
Mr. Robson
Mr. Bloomfield and Mr. Robson are coarse, drinking companions who share a love of hunting and a cruel, vulgar outlook.

Relationship notes

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See Mr. Bloomfield in First Lessons in the Art of Instruction

In the story

Mr. Bloomfield appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

First Lessons in the Art of Instruction
Tom Bloomfield, the seven-year-old son, is cruel to animals and domineering, contradicting his mother's praise.
A Few More Lessons
Critical and condescending toward Agnes, he scolds her publicly for the children's messy appearance and complains about the food at meals.
A Few More Lessons
Tom, the eldest pupil, is averse to mental exertion but not without abilities; he leads Agnes into dirty and dismal play areas.
IV: The Grandmamma
Father of the children; criticizes Agnes for allowing the children to grind eggshells on the carpet and frequently checks on the schoolroom.
The Uncle
Tom Bloomfield, the eldest pupil, who delights in tormenting birds and is taught by Uncle Robson to drink and be cruel.

Chapter companion notes

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See Mr. Bloomfield in First Lessons in the Art of Instruction