# XX: The Farewell explained — Agnes Grey

> Chapter companion for Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë.

## What happens

Agnes Grey prepares to leave Horton Lodge to help her mother open a school in A⸺. She reflects on her grief over her father's death and her mother's industrious coping. She meets Mr. Weston, who inquires about her mother and her departure. Despite her hopes for a deeper connection, she sees him only briefly before the final Sunday service, where he bids her goodbye, leaving her with a glimmer of happiness.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Plight of the Governess

Agnes's departure from Horton Lodge underscores the transient and dependent nature of a governess's life, moving from one household to another with little stability.

### Love and Genuine Connection

Agnes's deep but unspoken affection for Mr. Weston is contrasted with her duty-bound existence; their brief, sincere interactions highlight the theme of genuine emotional connection.

### Self-Reliance and Integrity

Agnes resolves to face her sorrow and future with sober reality, while her mother's active coping through work exemplifies self-reliance in adversity.

## Character check-ins

### Agnes Grey

Narrator; returns to Horton Lodge after her father's death, struggling with grief and unrequited feelings for Mr. Weston; prepares to leave for her mother's new school.

### Edward Weston

Shows sincere sympathy for Agnes's loss, inquires about her mother, and accompanies her partway to the park; bids her a meaningful goodbye at church.

### Matilda Murray

Agnes's remaining pupil; described as honest but rambling; distracts Agnes during walks and at church.

### Mrs. Grey

Agnes's mother; actively arranges the new seminary, sells furniture, and copes with grief through industrious work.

### Nancy Brown

Agnes visits her while Matilda is riding; mentioned as part of Agnes's routine.

### The Misses Green

Detain Matilda in the churchyard with inquiries about her sister.

## Key lines

> We often pity the poor, because they have no leisure to mourn their departed relatives, and necessity obliges them to labour through their severest afflictions: but is not active employment the best remedy for overwhelming sorrow—the surest antidote for despair?

People often feel sorry for the poor because they cannot pause to grieve, but work may actually be the best cure for deep sadness.

_Agnes reflects on how her mother's busy preparations for the new school help her cope with her father's death._

> If he only thought half as much about you as you do about him, he would have contrived to meet you many times ere this: you must know that, by consulting your own feelings.

If he cared for you even half as much as you care for him, he would have found ways to see you by now.

_Agnes scolds herself for hoping Mr. Weston returns her feelings, based on his infrequent appearances._

> Yes, Edward Weston, I could indeed be happy in a house full of enemies, if I had but one friend, who truly, deeply, and faithfully loved me; and if that friend were you—though we might be far apart—seldom to hear from each other, still more seldom to meet—though toil, and trouble, and vexation might surround me, still—it would be too much happiness for me to dream of!

I could endure any hardship if I had one true, loving friend—and if that friend were you, even distance and difficulty would be bearable.

_Agnes's inner confession reveals the depth of her love for Mr. Weston, though she considers it an impossible dream._

> I was often on the point of melting into tears during the sermon—the last I was to hear from him: the best I should hear from anyone, I was well assured.

I nearly cried during the sermon, knowing it was the last time I would hear him preach, and that no one else would ever preach as well.

_Agnes's emotional farewell to Mr. Weston's sermons marks the end of a significant chapter in her life._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/xx-the-farewell
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/agnes_grey_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters