# XXIII: The Park explained — Agnes Grey

> Chapter companion for Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë.

## What happens

Agnes Grey visits Lady Ashby at Ashby Park, where she witnesses the unhappy marriage between Rosalie and Sir Thomas Ashby. Rosalie confides her misery and regret, revealing Sir Thomas's neglect and dissipation. Agnes offers counsel on duty, integrity, and finding solace in her child, but Rosalie remains resistant. Agnes leaves with a heavy heart, feeling her advice was ineffective.

## Themes in this chapter

### Gender Roles and Marriage

Rosalie's unhappy marriage to Sir Thomas Ashby exemplifies the constraints and disappointments of Victorian matrimony, where women often had little recourse.

### Hypocrisy and Superficiality

Rosalie's earlier pursuit of wealth and status contrasts sharply with her current misery, revealing the superficiality of her choices.

### Self-Reliance and Integrity

Agnes advises Rosalie to find strength in her own integrity and duty, despite her husband's failings.

## Character check-ins

### Agnes Grey

Narrator and visitor at Ashby Park; offers moral counsel to Lady Ashby.

### Rosalie Murray

Now Lady Ashby; expresses deep regret and misery in her marriage to Sir Thomas.

### Thomas Ashby

Sir Thomas Ashby; Rosalie's husband, described as dissipated and neglectful.

### Lady Ashby

Mother-in-law of Rosalie; mentioned as cold but potentially supportive.

## Key lines

> I detest that man!

Rosalie expresses her hatred for her husband, Sir Thomas Ashby.

_Reveals the depth of her marital unhappiness._

> Oh, I would give ten thousand worlds to be Miss Murray again!

Rosalie wishes she could return to her unmarried state.

_Highlights her regret over her marriage._

> The best way to enjoy yourself is to do what is right and hate nobody.

Agnes advises Rosalie to find happiness through moral living and forgiveness.

_Reflects Agnes's moral philosophy._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/xxiii-the-park
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/agnes_grey_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters