‘All true histories contain instruction’: Truth and Everyday Heroism in Agnes Grey

Abstract

The writings of the Brontës have frequently been studied in relation to conceptions of heroism. More specifically, critics have focused on the influence of war heroes such as the Duke of Wellington or Napoleon in the early writings of the siblings, principally those authored by Charlotte and Branwell Brontë. This article, however, explores the conception of ‘everyday heroism’ in Anne Brontë’s novel Agnes Grey (1847). It argues that the ordinary characters portrayed in Brontë’s work embody qualities usually associated with the heroic. Further, the analysis of heroism can reveal new insights into the representation of gender roles and class relations in the novel.

Keywords:

• Anne Brontë
• Agnes Grey
• truth
• feminism
• heroism
• religion
• gender
• class

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 In the introduction to her book Byronic Heroes in Nineteenth Century Women’s Writing and Screen Adaptation (2016), Sarah Wootton discusses the associations that were established in the Victorian period between Lord Byron and the heroes portrayed in his works (13).

2 Mr Weston cites passages mainly taken from John but also Mark, Luke and Matthew.

3 John 5:1.

4 Luke 6:31.

5 John 9:3.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rosa Ortiz Notario

Rosa Ortiz Notario studied for a Masters in English Literature (Victorian Pathway) at the University of Leeds. She has recently completed a Masters in Gender and Diversity (University of Oviedo) where her dissertation explored the use of biblical quotations in Anne Brontë’s The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.