Agnes Grey

Agnes Grey is the main character of this novel. The novel is the diary that she keeps over the course of several years between the time when she is nineteen and several years later when she is married. Agnes decides to become a governess after her father loses what little wealth that he has when he tries to invest this money. Agnes hopes to use the money that she earns through her job to help her family. Her family, however, will not take the money from her but instead insists that she save this money.

Because Agnes grew up in such a sheltered household, she is completely unprepared for the spoiled, undisciplined students that she will encounter in her teaching career. In her first job, the students realize that Agnes has no control over them and that their parents will not support Agnes in any punishment she...