Anne Brontë's remarkable debut novel, Agnes Grey, is an exposition of the author's experiences as a governess. The novel dramatises the difficulties of an educated, unmarried and penniless woman looking for work in nineteenth century English society. The position of a governess was much coveted as a respectable career path. However, life in that situation could offer up as much punishment as privilege. Working for disparaging, unpleasant and inconsiderate households was a pitfall in this profession. Even in matters of the heart, it was often a drudgery. How will Agnes Grey overcome the unrepentant mischief wrought by an attractive student who does nothesitate to stake her claim as a rival in love?.