Pastors and Masters: Analysis of Major Characters
"Pastors and Masters" is a novel that features a rich tapestry of characters reflecting on themes of knowledge, gender dynamics, and social responsibility. The central character, Emily Herrick, experiences a transformative journey as she navigates her intelligence and moral sensitivity in a world that often undermines her contributions. As she turns fifty-one, she recognizes herself as one of the "superior women," akin to the heroines of literary giants like Jane Austen and George Eliot, gaining insight but also facing the bittersweet reality of lost innocence.
Emily's brother, Nicholas Herrick, is portrayed as a somewhat ineffectual figure who relies on her support while taking credit for the successes of a boys' school he oversees. Other characters, such as William Masson and Richard Bumpus, add depth to the narrative, with their aspirations and relationships illustrating the complexities of academic life. The Merrys, who run the school, exemplify the exploitation of those beneath them, contributing to the novel's critique of social hierarchies.
The Fletcher family serves as a contrasting backdrop, with various male figures displaying outdated attitudes towards women while their female counterparts, like Theresa Fletcher, challenge these norms through their connections with Emily. This exploration of character dynamics offers a nuanced commentary on the roles individuals play within societal structures, inviting readers to consider broader themes of empowerment and the often invisible labor that sustains communities.
Pastors and Masters: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Ivy Compton-Burnett
First published: 1925
Genre: Novel
Locale: An English university town
Plot: Satire
Time: Around 1920
Emily Herrick, the novel's heroine. As she turns from fifty to fifty-one, she undergoes a significant shift in consciousness. She realizes that she is one of the “superior women” who, like the heroines in the novels of Jane Austen and George Eliot, see more and know more than others. She is the most intelligent member of her circle, but the knowledge she acquires is accompanied by a loss of innocence. Unlike the flatter and more comic characters around her, Emily exhibits intellectual powers and moral sensitivity. These give her the capacity to learn and grow. Emily's feminist perspective reflects the author's.
Nicholas Herrick, her brother, a short, stocky man twenty years her senior. He has always looked to his sister as his helpmeet and companion. He is the owner of a boys' school, but he contributes to its welfare only by presiding over school prayers. Those around him do the work for which he takes credit.
William Masson, a tall and lanky don at Herrick's old college. There is talk of his marrying Emily, but he is paired with another don at the college, to whom he is devoted.
Richard Bumpus, William's companion, a short, dark man in late middle age. He also is a don. His literary aspirations are more a pretension than a reality.
Mr. Merry, Nicholas' partner and head of the school. He and his wife bully the forty boys in their care partly to compensate for their own lack of status. They illustrate the author's theory that those who serve are exploited as servants.
Mrs. Merry, his wife and helpmeet. She is referred to as Mother and is a caretaker of others; she is, however, shown to skimp when it comes to the welfare of her charges.
Miss Basden, a middle-aged teacher and school matron who shoulders more than her share of responsibility. She illustrates the author's view that it is the underlings and servants who do the actual work of the world.
The Reverend Peter Fletcher, a frail, elderly pastor with a patronizing attitude toward women.
Theresa Fletcher, his wife, a large old woman who is a confidante of Emily Herrick's. Through Emily, she acquires a deeper knowledge of the world and its ways.
The Reverend Francis Fletcher, Peter's oversized nephew. He is old-fashioned concerning women but capable of some sensitivity toward them.
Lydia Fletcher, Peter's sixty-year-old sister, an inveterate humanitarian. As are the other Fletchers, she is a convenient foil for the freethinking Herricks.
Henry Bentley, the father of two of the children who attend Herrick's school. He is memorable as a domestic tyrant.