Agnes GreyAnne Brontë's first novel, Agnes Grey, combines an astute dissection of middle-class social behavior and class attitudes with a wonderful study of Victorian responses to young children which has parallels with debates about education that continue to this day. In writing the novel, Brontë drew on her own experiences, and one can trace in the work many of the trials of the Victorian governess, often stranded far from home, and treated with little respect by her employers, yet expected to control and educate her young charges. Agnes Grey looks at childhood from nursery to adolescence, and it also charts the frustrations of romantic love, as Agnes starts to nurse warmer feelings towards the local curate, Mr. Weston. Sally Shuttleworth's fascinating introduction considers the book's fictional and narrative qualities, its relationship with Victorian child-rearing and the responsibilities of parents, and the changing attitudes to the book influenced by modern concerns for children's rights. The new edition includes a revised and updated bibliography as well as revised notes drawing on the latest critical material. About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more. |
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able affected Agnes Agnes Grey amuse animals Anne Anne Brontë appeared asked become better Bloomfield Brontë Charlotte child church coming course delight duty edition expected expressed eyes face father fear feelings felt friends girl give governess Green half hand happy Hatfield head hear heard heart hope Jane Eyre keep kind knew ladies least leave less live London look mama manner Mary Matilda matter mean mind Miss Grey Miss Murray morning mother nature never novel observed once park passed pleasure Poems poor present pupils remarkable replied Rosalie seemed sister smile sometimes soon speak suffered suppose sure talk tell things thought told took trouble turned walk Weston wish wonder writing young