Chapter I and II Summary

In her novel, Agnes Grey, Anne Bronte tells the story of a young woman who takes on a job as a governess in order to help her family. Believing that she will be a capable teacher, Agnes embraces the idea of her job, but soon learns the task is not as easy as she once thought. Difficult students and pampering parents combine to make her job almost impossible. Agnes perseveres, though, and soon finds the life that she has prayed to have.

In Chapter I, Agnes describes her family. When her parents were married, Agnes' mother left her affluent family to marry Richard Grey and was disowned by them. Her father is a clergyman who provides a comfortable life for his wife and two daughters. Agnes has one sister, Mary. Because Agnes is the youngest, she is...