DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR "AGNES GREY"

1. What would you say Bronte's purpose is for writing this book?  
2. Did you feel like you were reading a diary at times?
3. What examples of materialism (that the author seemed to point out in the Victorian life) did you see?
4. What are the main injustices Agnes faces as a governess and how does she respond to those hardships? 
5. Talk about how the upper and lower classes are depicted in the novel?
6. What applications do you see in the book that still apply in our time?
7. Any comments on Mrs. Bloomfield's reply when Agnes objects to Tom's desire to torture baby birds...."You seem to have forgotten that the creatures were all created for our convenience." 
8. Why do you think Edmund and Agnes are so drawn to each other?
9. Why do you think Rosalie enjoys misleading and tormenting her suitors?  Do you think the author manages to make her somewhat likable in the end?
10. Any quotes or anything else I haven't mentioned that you'd like to discuss?
11. Were you happy with the ending?  If not, what would you change?