A Few More Lessons explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• The Plight of the Governess

  Agnes is caught between the children's defiance and the parents' unfair criticism, illustrating the powerless and thankless role of a governess.

• Hypocrisy and Superficiality

  Mrs. Bloomfield praises Fanny as a gentle child while ignoring her real behavior, and Mr. Bloomfield complains about trivial matters like gravy while neglecting his children's moral education.

• Cruelty and Compassion

  The children's cruelty toward Agnes and each other is met with her compassionate but futile efforts to teach them, while the parents' coldness adds to her suffering.

Characters to notice

• Agnes Grey

  Endures the daily trials of teaching the Bloomfield children, striving to maintain patience and integrity despite harsh criticism from Mr. and Mrs. Bloomfield.

• Mary Ann

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

• Mr. Bloomfield

  Critical and condescending toward Agnes, he scolds her publicly for the children's messy appearance and complains about the food at meals.

• Mrs. Bloomfield

  Blaming Agnes for the children's deterioration, she makes cold remarks and gives disapproving looks rather than offering support.

• Fanny

  The youngest Bloomfield child, revealed to be mischievous and deceitful, spitting and screaming when displeased, though appearing gentle to her parents.

• Mr. Bloomfield

  Tom, the eldest pupil, is averse to mental exertion but not without abilities; he leads Agnes into dirty and dismal play areas.

Key passages

• “I knew this was all pointed at me; and these, and all similar innuendoes, affected me far more deeply than any open accusations would have done; for against the latter I should have been roused to speak in my own defence: now I judged it my wisest plan to subdue every resentful impulse, suppress every sensitive shrinking, and go on perseveringly, doing my best; for, irksome as my situation was, I earnestly wished to retain it.”

  Agnes realizes the Bloomfields' indirect criticisms are aimed at her, and she finds them harder to bear than direct accusations because she cannot defend herself. She decides to suppress her feelings and continue working hard, hoping to keep her position.

  Highlights Agnes's internal struggle and determination to endure her difficult situation.

• “I found my pupils very backward, indeed; but Tom, though averse to every species of mental exertion, was not without abilities. Mary Ann could scarcely read a word, and was so careless and inattentive that I could hardly get on with her at all.”

  Agnes discovers that her students are far behind in their studies: Tom has potential but dislikes learning, while Mary Ann can barely read and is extremely distracted.

  Illustrates the educational challenges Agnes faces with the Bloomfield children.

• “Another troublesome trait in Mary Ann was her incorrigible propensity to keep running into the nursery, to play with her little sisters and the nurse. This was natural enough, but, as it was against her mother's express desire, I, of course, forbade her to do so, and did my utmost to keep her with me; but that only increased her relish for the nursery, and the more I strove to keep her out of it, the oftener she went, and the longer she stayed, to the great dissatisfaction of Mrs. Bloomfield, who, I well knew, would impute all the blame of the matter to me.”

  Mary Ann repeatedly sneaks to the nursery despite Agnes's efforts to stop her, and Mrs. Bloomfield blames Agnes for the disobedience, creating a cycle of frustration.

  Shows the impossible position of the governess, blamed for behavior she cannot control.