Anne Bronte’s novel uses animals as a means of social commentary, allowing for a deeper analysis of the social structures of her time. The different interactions between characters and animals reflect their social standing in the society, which is depicted as a class-divided society. For instance, the lower class who own horses, dogs, and other animals treat them kindly, reflecting their empathetic social status. On the other hand, the higher classes that own animals mistreat them as they do not have empathetic lifestyles. Anne Bronte uses this to emphasize how social class determines treatment. This serves to highlight the injustice faced by the lower classes, who are often neglected and mistreated.

In Agnes Grey the use of animal symbolism is also displayed in her portrayal of social structures. The symbolism becomes evident in the relationships that the characters have with their animals. As the quote "The merciful man shows mercy to his beast" suggests, Bronte emphasizes the importance of treating animals with kindness and mercy, reminding readers that ownership does not constitute the right to mistreat them. Notably, characters who interacted negatively with animals, such as the cruel Rosalie Murray, are depicted poorly in the novel, especially in their interactions with lower-class animals. Animals are used to symbolize the vulnerability of lower-status individuals within social hierarchies. For example, poorly raised children who abuse animals reflect how similarly ill-mannered high-status adults may mistreat those of lower status, such as employees or the poor. The protagonist, Agnes, displays kindness towards animals, contrasting with characters like Tom Bloomfield, who exhibits cruelty towards birds, a behaviour learned from his father and Uncle Robson. (ch2,pg22) This symbolism serves as a commentary on the social structure of Anne Bronte's time, highlighting the attitudes and actions of the aristocratic and middle-class characters, and underscores the broad impact that social standing had on all aspects of life in that era.

Animal cruelty in Agnes Grey reflects the mistreatment of the lower classes as well as treatment towards animals. The quote, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy" highlights how the animals' treatment in the story is related to their owners' moral standing. The main character's feelings towards dogs are similar to how she views the people in her life. By examining her relationship with dogs, we can gain a deeper understanding of the characters and how they interact with each other within their community. Thus, animal motifs and symbolism are used as an essential component of the novel's thematic. As for Agnes Grey and those close to her, they display compassion and kindness towards the animals, such as the pony Rosalie Murray mistreats. In contrast, the upper-class characters hint at a sense of entitlement to treat the animals as they please. Thus, the animals in Agnes Grey serve as a lens to society, highlighting the harsh treatment of both the lower classes and the animals.

In the novel "Agnes Grey" by Anne Bronte, the use of animal symbols reveals important insights about the social structure and treatment of marginalized groups during her time. Through Charlotte Bronte's stories, we can see how she uses literature to talk about important social issues, like unfair treatment of people and animals. By showing how humans and animals interact, Bronte is able to make a case for being kind to all living things. By closely reading her writing, we can see how she uses literary techniques to make a difference in the world.