# Terry Wickett — Arrowsmith character guide > Terry Wickett in Arrowsmith by Sinclair Lewis. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Wickett, Terry, Capitola McGurk, McGurk **First appearance:** 0041-i ## Snapshot A blunt, brilliant biochemist whose rude honesty and stubborn devotion to pure research make him Martin Arrowsmith's most trusted scientific conscience. ## Who they are Terry Wickett is the McGurk Institute's resident iconoclast, a bachelor who gives up everything for his work and detests the politeness that greases institutional careers. He needles Director Holabird and refuses dinner invitations rather than listen to the clever Latham Ireland, yet his rudeness masks a fierce integrity about method and evidence. For Martin, torn between wealth, fame, and genuine discovery, Wickett becomes the voice insisting that science is not a business, and his friendship quietly measures everything Martin risks losing. ## Relationships ### [Martin Arrowsmith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/characters/martin_arrowsmith) _friendship_ Terry Wickett is a blunt, fiercely independent lab technician who becomes Martin's closest scientific collaborator and kindred spirit in pure research. ### [Martin Arrowsmith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/characters/martin_arrowsmith) _friendship_ Terry Wickett is a blunt, fiercely independent lab technician who becomes Martin's closest scientific collaborator and kindred spirit in pure research. ### [Martin Arrowsmith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/characters/martin_arrowsmith) _friendship_ Terry Wickett is a blunt, fiercely independent lab technician who becomes Martin's closest scientific collaborator and kindred spirit in pure research. ## In the story ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/xxi) Terry is a fellow researcher at the McGurk Institute who shares Martin's disdain for institutional politics and commercial science. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/xxii) Terry is a fellow researcher at the McGurk Institute and becomes a close friend and confidant to Martin, sharing his disdain for the institute's commercialism. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/xxiii) Terry is Martin's cynical colleague who shares his frustration with the institute's bureaucracy and commercialism. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/xxiv) Wickett is a fellow researcher who shares Martin's disdain for institutional politics and craves pure science. ### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/xxvi) Martin's colleague at the McGurk Institute, who remains dedicated to pure research and serves as a foil to Martin's growing social distractions. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iv) A blunt chemist working with Gottlieb; mocks the Institute's pretensions and warns Martin about the politics there. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/v) Martin perceives his snarls as a misconception of humor and a resentment of morphological scientists; he works all night with dedication. ### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/xxvii) Terry represents the pure research ideal and is skeptical of Martin's new lifestyle. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iii) Appears at the dinner, makes irreverent remarks, and leaves early after a confrontation with a society lady. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iv) Part of Gottlieb's independent faction; Martin is dragged into this group despite disliking him. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/v) Joins Gottlieb in criticizing Martin's superficial knowledge, then offers to tutor him in math, beginning their friendship. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/vi) Transfers to the artillery and sails to France, apologizing to Martin for leaving his work. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/vii) Terry has gone off to the artillery, and his absence contributes to Gottlieb's sense of loneliness. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/xxviii) Represents the ideal of pure research; Martin joins him in a wilderness laboratory at the end of the chapter. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/xxix) Terry represents the ideal of pure, unadulterated research, and his camaraderie with Martin offers an escape from the pretensions of the institute. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as being in France; Martin misses his rough honesty and companionship. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/i) Returns after the Armistice and provides mockery and camaraderie, influencing Martin's skepticism toward the Institute's commercialism. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/ii) Cynically comments on the candidates and is skeptical of Gottlieb's acceptance of the directorship. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iv) Terry provides Martin with concentration and threatens Holabird amid the Institute's intrigues. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/v) Remains cool toward Martin's work, questioning whether he continues fundamental phage research. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/xxxi) Terry represents the pure scientific spirit that Martin longs for, contrasting with the institutional demands. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/xxxii) Martin's colleague at the McGurk Institute, representing the scientific ideal that Martin is drifting from. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iii) Advises Martin to keep his phage notes complete and in ink. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/vi) Sees them off at the pier, bringing a box of candy for Leora. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/xxxiii) Terry represents the pure scientific ideal that Martin has abandoned, and their interactions highlight Martin's internal conflict. ### [Chapter XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/xxxiv) Martin's colleague who shares his disdain for institutional science and joins him in the plan to set up a private laboratory in the wilderness. ### [Chapter XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/xxxv) Becomes Martin's close companion and fellow dissenter, eventually joining him in abandoning the institute for a rustic life. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/viii) Martin fears his criticism for having wasted his opportunity. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/xxxvi) Joins Martin in his decision to leave the institute and pursue a simpler life of research in the wilderness. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iii) Martin also thinks of facing Terry, showing Terry's role as a critical colleague. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iv) Waits for Martin at the wharf, updates him on Gottlieb and Institute politics, reaffirms their partnership. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/vii) Offers harsh friendship and practical advice to Martin, praising his work and urging him to stay at the Institute. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/xxxvii) Mentioned as a contrast to Martin's new life, representing the pure scientific pursuit that Martin has abandoned. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/i) Hosts Martin at his rustic Vermont cabin, 'Birdies' Rest,' and shares his vision of independent research. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/ii) Terry Wickett is credited with inventing the epithet 'Arranger' for Capitola McGurk, which Joyce is compared to. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iii) Refuses to be Martin's best man and reluctantly attends the wedding. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/vi) Martin privately criticizes him for provincialism as he tries to adopt a more refined lifestyle. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/xxxviii) Represents the ideal of pure research and serves as a contrast to the commercial and social pressures Martin faces. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/i) An assistant at the Institute, Terry collaborates with Martin on quinine derivatives and joins him in Vermont for research, valuing scientific freedom over social status. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/ii) Terry drives the synthesis of the quinine derivative, works relentlessly, and ultimately resigns from McGurk when Holabird demands premature publication, retiring to Birdies' Rest. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iii) Fired by Holabird, prompting Martin's initial desire to resign. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/xxxix) Represents the scientific purity that Martin has abandoned, serving as a contrast to Martin's new life. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/i) Recently departed from the McGurk Institute; Martin misses his companionship and contrasts him with Clif. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as having gotten drunk with Martin over the dismissal of the centrifuge Gladys from McGurk. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/vi) Living alone at Birdies' Rest, tired and surly after months of solitary work; initially confrontational with Martin but reconciles. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/xl) Joins Martin in his retreat to the wilderness, representing a return to pure, uncommercialized research. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/i) Terry is referenced as Martin's ideal of a pure scientist; Martin decides to join him at Birdies' Rest in Vermont. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/ii) Terry engages Martin in intense arguments about their experiments, contributing to Martin's renewed vigor. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iii) Martin's rugged and pragmatic campmate, shares the labor and plans to expand the research colony. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iv) Lolling in a boat with Martin, working on the new quinine project. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/characters/terry_wickett - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/characters