Agnes van Rhijn (née Brook) is the widowed matriarch of the Van Rhijn Family, an old money Dutch-American family from New York. She is a proud and stubborn socialite who clings to the values of the old having descended from the Brook and Livingston families. Mrs. Van Rhijn is the mother of Oscar van Rhijn, and lives with her sister, Ada, and their orphaned niece, Marian, in her Manhattan brownstone on East 61st Street.
Biography[]
Early life[]
Born Agnes Brook in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, she was the elder daughter and second child of Mr. and Mrs. Brook. Her father, a soldier, was from the wealthy and landed Brook family of Pennsylvania dating back since around the 1730s, and her mother was born to the well-established Livingston family of New York. Her father was a soldier, and a patron of the Institute for Colored Youth in Pennsylvania and would bring her and her siblings to the school's holiday pageants.
Her father died relatively young, and her brother, Henry who inherited the estate, began to manage it poorly selling the family farms. She had received a proposal from the wealthy and yet difficult Arnold van Rhijn of New York, and felt as if she had no choice but to marry him. They married around the year 1842.[1]
The couple had one son to survive infancy, Oscar. Agnes has said that she has lost other children, either due to miscarriage, stillbirths, or deaths in childhood.[2] Agnes's husband eventually passed away around 1872, after which her sister Ada moved in with her.[3]
Season 1[]
Episode 1 - Never The New[]
In 1882, Agnes watches as the new money Russell family move into their recently finished mansion across her house on East 61st Street.
Her older brother, General Henry Brook, has recently passed away leaving her niece Marian Brook an orphan. Her younger sister and companion Ada feeling a sense of familial responsibility writes to their niece and invites her to join them on East 61st Street. While Ada is please when the youngest Brook agrees to move to New York, Agnes is reluctant to support her penniless niece with the Van Rhijn money from her late husband.
Marian arrives late at night in ill weather, and is accompanied by an African-American friend, Peggy Scott, who has paid for her niece's ticket from Pennsylvania to New York after she was robbed. Agnes permits Peggy to stay for the night, and also begins to instruct Marian on the intricacies of old money New York society, forbidding her from getting a job, and encouraging her to make friends with fellow old money families. Realizing that she is behind with her letters and paperwork, she decides to hire Peggy as her secretary.
When she receives an invitation from Bertha Russell to attend a party, she scoffs at the nouveau riche, and does not attend.[3]
Episode 2 - Money Isn't Everything[]
Agnes is doing paperwork at her home, with Oscar, Marian and Ada present, and let's them know that she won't accept Gladys Russell to be invited for lunch, and that she feels Aurora skates too close to the edge as she's met Gladys.
Agnes is reluctant to receive Tom Raikes, but as she heards from Ada that he's waived his fee for settling Henry's estate, Agnes tells Marian that she must invite him for tea as she's in debt to him. She listlessly approves of Marian going to Anne Morris's charity bazaar.
Agnes and Ada have a talk about Oscar introducing Marian to potential suitors. Agnes doesn't approve of Ada's suggestion that Oscar might be interested in Marian himself, as they're first cousins and Marian has no wealth, and she reminds Ada of the sacrifice she made to save Ada's skin.
On next Tuesday, Raikes is visiting the Brook house for tea, when Oscar arrives with Larry Russell. Agnes is polite with Larry, but watches him talk with Marian in anger, while sipping tea. Later, Agnes confronts Oscar about bringing Larry over to her house, and doesn't approve with him about the Russells living in their village, as she's not concerned with facts, if they interfere with her beliefs.
Late in the evening, Agnes comes to Peggy and Marian and hands out a pile of letters for Peggy to go through the next day, which Peggy finds interesting, and Agnes points out that Oscar doesn't. Peggy thanks her for giving her a chance, to which Agnes replies that life has taught her that if you don't want to be disappointed, you should help those who help themselves.
At night, Ada enters Agnes's room at her request. She confronts Ada about her feeling like she's encouraged Marian over Tom, whom she finds a shyster. Agnes reminds her that Marian is penniless, without impeccable birth thanks to her mother, and that she can't leave any Van Rhijn money to her.
On another day, Agnes enters the charity bazaar with Ada and Oscar. She is angry at Marian for talking with Mrs. Chamberlain, who bought handkerchiefs from her stall. She then sees Bertha, George and Gladys Russell enter the bazaar, and says that maybe they should just roll in the gutter to save time.[4]
Episode 3 - Face The Music[]
Agnes sees from a newspaper that Aurora is holding a new charity event, and judges her for it as the last one went so improperly. Marian tells Agnes that Clara Barton is giving a talk at Aurora's house. Peggy hands a letter for Agnes to decide on. Marian and Ada see Gladys leaving outside with her governess. Agnes tells them not to criticize Mrs. Russell for her only virtue, keeping her daughter under control. She can also tell that Gladys hasn't been brought out yet as Bertha isn't sure she can fill the ballroom.
On another day, Agnes has a talk with Marian and Ada about Ada's girlhood interest, Cornelius Eckhard, whom they had met at Aurora's charity event. Agnes is concerned that he might have returned for Ada.
Cornelius Eckhard visits and admires Agnes's house. Agnes watches judgmentally as he's flirting with Ada and doesn't remember Cornelius's parents ever calling on them. Ada leaves, and Agnes has a talk with Cornelius. Cornelius insists he has feelings for Ada, but Agnes tells him that Ada has no money and would have to move out of the house in case she married. She reveals to him that their father didn't approve of him not because of his lack of prospects, but because he had been heard boasting that he's about to marry a meal ticket. Ada returns with the tea, but Cornelius leaves. Agnes tells Ada to choose something for the menu that she really likes.[5]
Episode 4 - A Long Ladder[]
Pumpkin runs away as Bannister is walking him on the street, and Agnes is comforting, but rolling her eyes at the devastated Ada. Later, they recive a note from the Russells as Pumpkin has been taken to their house. Agnes thinks the Russells have kidnapped him in order to force the Van Rhijn-Brooks to receive them.
Later, Marian hears of Peggy's story being published in the New York Globe. Agnes walks in and Marian tells her that she'll be thrilled to hear the news, to which Agnes replies "I haven't been thrilled since 1865". Agnes is happy for Peggy, but thells her to make sure that she'll never find out if her next article is more political.
Pumpkin gets returned by Bannister, and Agnes tells Marian that she's been invited to the Academy of Music by Aurora Fane. Marian asks her if she'll come, to which Agnes answers that she'll rather be put to death. Bannister brings in a box that's been delivered for Marian from Mrs. Chamberlain. Marian opens the box, revealing an ornamental wooden case. Agnes wants to know who is it from, and Marian says that she'll return it and won't tell who was it from. When Marian leaves, Ada tells Agnes that she believes Marian won't do anything self-destructive, to which Agnes replies that "Ada's been reading too much German books again" and should just stick to Louisa May Alcott.
Later, Agnes walks in as Ada, Marian and Oscar are gossiping abour Mrs. Chamberlain, but Oscar changes the topic to the East River Bridge.
Episode 5 - Charity Has Two Functions[]
Marian tells Agnes that she'll be going to join Clara Barton's fundraiser for the Red Cross with Aurora Fane. Agnes tells Marian that charity has two functions in society: to raise funds for those in need and to be used as a ladder to climb by those who don't belong. She approves of Marian going, but tells her to take Peggy with her as she doesn't fully trust Aurora after Mrs. Chamberlain was on her guest list.
On another day, Agnes and Peggy are finishing off work. Peggy tells Agnes that she's happy to hear Ms. Barton speak, and Agnes tells her not to tell more if it's for her journalistic endeavours. Agnes tells her that she'll meet obstacles in her way, being colored and a woman and that she'll need to be determined. She says that Marian is also determined, but can be reckless and tells Peggy to make sure she'll stay safe.
When Marian has returned, Agnes, Ada and her are having dinner. Marian asks her that surely she believes that women get the vote one day and Agnes tells her that she believes in small and incremental change, not running around with a banner and a gun.
Episode 6 - Heads Have Rolled for Less[]
Agnes, Ada and Marian are reading the newspapers with news of the Russel company's railroad accident. Agnes believes the accident was caused by negligence on George Russell's part. She sighs dramatically when Marian tells her that Aurora's planned committee meeting might not happen if Mrs. Russell is unable to come. Ada brings up the Opera war, and Marian wonders why there has to be a war and Agnes tells her that the Academy of Music is one of the last bastions of decency and standards in the city.
On another day, Marian tells Agnes that she's accepted a luncheon invitation from Mrs. Russell, where Ward McAllister and Tom Raikes are also going. Agnes says that Mrs. Astor would never set a foot in the house and reminds Marian that she thinks Tom Raikes is an adventurer and that she's never wrong, which upsets Marian.
Bannister has been secretly hired by Bertha Russel to help her arrange the luncheon in the English way. He comes to Agnes and tells her that he has legal business to do. Agnes wonders why he needs to go at lunch time.
A moment later, Armstrong is helping Agnes to change. Armstrong has worries about Peggy writing an article that's been widely talked of and she's concerned that they might trace it back to their house. Agnes hopes that Armstrong's worry has nothing to do with her prejudice. She tells that if she continues making trouble to Peggy, she'll be angry.
Jack is standing in for Bannister at dinner, and he's making many awkward mistakes at serving it to Agnes and Ada. A note is suddenly delivered to Agnes. She reads it and enraged, zooms up and rushes across the street into the Russell house and into their dining room, where she confronts Bannister. Aurora, Marian, George and Ward McAllister all play it polite to calm the situation down. As Agnes leaves, she says to Bannister that heads have rolled for less.
Armstrong sees Mrs. Russell's Maid with Oscar outside, and sees her touching his arm in an affectionate way. At night, Agnes expresses her regret of acting on an impulse before. Armstrong says to her that she's sure these betrayals must be very upsetting and whispers to her what she saw - if she made her own conclusions about the nature of their relationship or not, is left unheard. Agnes is completely infuriated and shouts Armstrong to leave her.
Episode 7 - Irresistible Change[]
The devastated Agnes is pondering what she should say to Oscar when he arrives. Ada doesn't see the seriousness of a mere fling and thinks she should do nothing about the situation. Bannister arrives to ask Agnes what time dinner should be served, but Agnes refuses to talk to him directly, as she's still hurt by his betrayal.
In the evening, Marian sees Oscar running out of the parlour and slamming the door behind him. Agnes tells her that Oscar is angry with her, though he has no right to be, as she's the one who should be angry as he has disgraced himself with Mrs. Russell's maid, although he tried to deny it. Agnes says she wants Turner sacked immediately. Marian says Agnes should write to Mrs. Russell about it but Agnes says that her mother told her never to write anything that she wouldn't want printed out on a journal. Agnes orders Marian to go and see Mrs. Russell as their family honor is in danger.
On another day, Bannister delivers Agnes a letter, but Ada has to take it from him and ask when it was delivered as Agnes doesn't talk to him. Marian arrives and Agnes tells her that the letter said that Mrs. Russell has fired her maid. Marian asks Agnes if she'll write to Mrs. Russell but she says she won't so she won't write her back. She makes Peggy to send a thank you note without a trace of warmth.
Later, Agnes and Ada are at the dressmakers. Agnes tells the tailoress to make her bustle a little fuller and the tailoress tells her that bustles are getting smaller for most people, but Agnes says she's not like most people. Ada asks Agnes if Marian and Mr. Raikes came to an arrangement, would she really cut them. Agnes replies that she'd like them to think she would. Ada says it wouldn't make much difference to Marian as she doesn't care if Mrs. Astor would receive her, but Agnes says that Tom would. Ada asks if it's possible she might have misjudged him, to which Agnes replies that if it's possible that an earthquake would destroy New York.
Later, Marian tells Agnes and Ada that she met Mr. Raikes and was pleased to hear how far he's come since his arrival and tries to point out that he doesn't only mix with the new crowd like the Russells, and Aurora that Aurora loves him. Agnes thinks Aurora has developed a certain social promiscuity. Agnes points out that she's not blinded by his looks or charm to Marian, who thinks she's being unfair.
Episode 8 - Tucked Up in Newport[]
Aurora is visiting and tells Agnes, Ada and Marian that she's going to Newport the next day. Agnes wonders why everyone has to go to Newport nowadays. Agnes is surprised that Ada knows about Mrs. Astor finishing building her Newport house. She's still snarky to Bannister about his recent betrayal.
At another night, Bannister tells Peggy and Armstrong that Agnes wants to see them in the drawing room, as Armstrong has read a letter addressed to Peggy. Peggy tells Agnes the story of her son and the midwife that took him from her and couldn't be traced now. Agnes says that Armstrong told her that Peggy bore an illegitimate child whom she abandoned. Agnes says she finds now that she was a married mother who's child died and reveals that she's lost children as well. Armstrong says that she was trying to protect the reputation of the house and Agnes sends her back down. Peggy, however, decides to leave. Ada asks Agnes wouldn't it have been better to fire Armstrong, but Agnes thinks it's too much work to train a new maid at her time.
As Peggy is leaving, Agnes comes to talk with her in the hallway. She tells Ada was right and it's ought to be Armstrong who goes, but Peggy thinks her staying would be too disruptive. Agnes tells her that she's an impressive young woman and not everyone will support her ambitions, but she's strong enough to manage it. They part shaking hands and Agnes gives Peggy her blessing.
Episode 9 - Let the Tournament Begin[]
Marian and Ada are having a conversation about Marian's plan to possibly elope with Mr. Raikes, while Agnes isn't in the room. Agnes enters to tell them that Oscar is coming over for dinner. She asks if Henry James is a little dense for a young lady, seeing a book that Marian was reading.
At dinner, Marian tells Agnes that Peggy came to take her things earlier. Agnes is asking about her and Oscar makes her admit that she's missing her.
On another day, Agnes has received a shocking note from Mrs. Astor, in which she writes that if they consider themselves her friends, they have to attend Mrs. Russell's ball that evening. Agnes wonders if they are to quarrel with Mrs. Astor or with Mrs. Russell. She says that she doesn't wish to quarrell with Mrs. Astor so they will obey her, but tells Ada to reserve the right to quarrell with Mrs. Russell later.
At night, Agnes, Ada and Marian walk over to Russells' house and Agnes tells Marian that they have to go because Mrs. Astor ordered them to. When they enter, Aurora and Oscar greet them, surprised.
They watch as Gladys and her friends perform the quadrille and Agnes greets Bertha with a nod. Ada thinks it was nice of Agnes, but she reminds that they can quarrel with her later. Later, Oscar escorts Gladys for her first dance of the evening and Agnes glances at them, sighing to herself.
Season 2[]
Episode 2 - You Don't Even Like Opera[]
On Easter Sunday, 1883, Agnes is walking to Church with Ada, Marian and Oscar. Ada asks Agnes if walking is too much for her now that they're getting older, but Agnes says Ada might be getting older, but she isn't, and that walking to church is something that they've always done. At the church, before the cermon starts, Agnes tells that she's received a letter from Dashiell Montgomery, who has moved to New York with his daughter. Ada refers to Agne'ss late husband as Arnold and Agnes asks if they were in first name terms, as they weren't, and she was his wife.
After the cermon, Agnes and her family greet and introduce themselves Luke Forte, the new rector.
Later on, Oscar arrives to the Brook house bloodied and beaten up and collapses on the hallway. Agnes gives orders so he can be taken care of. Later, Agnes sits by Oscar's sickbed and Oscar disapproves of her wanting to call for the police. Agnes thinks he might have done something to provoke the man who beat him, as she's seen him act reckless and rude before.
Sometime later, Agnes welcomes Dashiell to New York at Aurora's house. After the party is over and Agnes is about to leave with her crowd, Dashiell's daughter Frances recognizes Marian as her teacher. Marian has to admit that she's teaching watercolors at St. Mary's girls' school on Thursdays. Agnes is in shock as she doesn't approve of her working.
Once they're home, Agnes is infuriated at Marian. She asks Ada why she couldn't stop Marian for taking on the work, but Ada tells her that she just found out too. She gets into a full-blown quarrel with Marian over the matter, saying that Dashiell and Aurora only feel sorry for her and that's why they don't disapprove of her teaching. Marian calls Agnes cruel and mean-spirited. Agnes yells at Marian, asking if it's cruel to mind if she stamps on their name and drags it on the mud.
On another day, Marian enters the drawing room where Agnes is sitting with Ada. Agnes has calmed down, but tells her that she fears it's harmful for Marian to be seen in the Russells' company, although she might think her as cruel and mean-spirited. Marian admits that she spoke too harshly. Ada tries to make Agnes to say she's sorry too, but Agnes just says that Bannister will escort Marian across the street.
Personality[]
Agnes is a fine example of the "old money". She clings the values of the old having in high regard family and their ties with other families from the old society. She is quite stubborn and proud, refusing to act against her social circle, and is categorical in her decisions. While she may seem cold, bitter, resentful and apathic this is actually the result of having to endure a life of pain and tragedies. In Ada's words, Agnes has had to carry on her shoulders the weight of the world by herself. And while she can be harsh, she is not malicious or ill-intentioned and always wants the best for her family.
Despite coming from old and traditional aristocratic families, Agnes has shown a modern and open-minded side of herself. For instance, her relationship with Peggy Scott a woman of color, Agnes was genuinely thankful when she helped Marian to arrive to her place and allowed the young woman to stay as well as giving her a job as her secretary. Agnes has her in high regard because she admires and respects people who have goals and strive to achieve them despite having many obstacles and the world against them and is willing to give a hand to those who help themselves. Another example is how she supports John Trotter giving him money of her own pocket so can be recognized as an inventor, saying that she likes the idea of supporting a new inventor and encouraging his career. Agnes also generousy offered to Mrs. Armstrong to keep working with her when they'd lost most of their wealth after her son Oscar was a victim of a scam against him, despite knowing she wouldn't be able to give her a good salary.
Beneath her harsh and sharp-tongued attitude, Agnes has a more vulnerable and emotional side. When Ada announces her marriage with Reverend Forte, Agnes is strongly against it but this is mostly because she doesn't want her sister to leave her after everything they've been through together, and confesses to the Reverend that her biggest fear is to end up alone and die with no one around her when it happens. However she will ignore this insecurities and be there for those she loves when they need her, choosing at the very last moment to attend her sister's wedding, and when she learns about Luke's illness she immediatly goes to support Ada and give her comfort at the lowest and worst moment of her life. She can also show her wisdom to others, specially with her niece Marian, after she learns Marian called off her engagement with Dashiell, Agnes instead of feeling angry or disappointed she adviced her to take care more of herself from now one given that she already has 'two strikes' and must be careful so she can eventually marry in the future.
Quotes[]
- Agnes (to Peggy)
- — Money Isn't Everything
If you don't want to be disappointed, only help those who help themselves.
Notes[]
- In a dialogue with Ada it is implied that Agnes had several children besides Oscar but passed away when they were young since she symphatized with Peggy and the situation with her son, although it's unknown how or when they died, but apparently it was after her brother Henry cut ties with her and Ada.
- She appears to have inherited the Livingston family box at The Academy of Music, as in the season two finale she is seen using it alongside Oscar.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ The Gilded Age, season 1 episode 3: "Face The Music"
- ↑ The Gilded Age, season 1 episode 8: "Tucked Up in Newport"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Gilded Age, season 1 episode 1: "Never The New"
- ↑ The Gilded Age, season 1 episode 2: "Money Isn't Everything"
- ↑ The Gilded Age, season 1 episode 3: "Face The Music"