Emily of New Moon · Character
Dean Priest
A hunchbacked, world-weary traveler and storyteller who becomes Emily's unlikely mentor, offering her books, history, and a cynicism that both fascinates and unsettles her.
major
Also known as Jarback Priest, Dean, Whereby Dean Priest, Dean Priest Emily, Priest, Jarback, Jarback Praste
First appearance: iv a family conclave
As a major figure in Emily of New Moon, Dean Priest is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Rescues Emily from the cliff; engages in a long conversation about poetry, writing, and family; claims her life as his own, but also shows kindness and humor.
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Dean Priest is a Murray cousin by blood and a wanderer by temperament, a man whose bitterness and erudition make him a strange companion for a young girl. He talks to Emily as an equal, feeding her hunger for Athens,…
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The fuller portrait of Dean Priest sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Dean Priest in iv a family conclaveCharacter Web
17 connectionsA slice of how Dean Priest sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Other
Character groups
- New Moon Household
- Burnley Family Tragedy
- Shrewsbury School Antagonists
- Extended Village and Family
+12 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
In this chapter, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when Aunt Elizabeth discovers Emily’s secret writ…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
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Dean Priest appears across 3 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Dean Priest unlock in the free preview.
See Dean Priest in iv a family conclave