Character guide

Emily Herrick

major

Also known as Emily, Herrick

Sister of the schoolmaster Nicholas Herrick, whose quick, self-deprecating wit and sharp eye for other people's pretensions make her the most disarming voice in the room.

Mr. Merry

major

Also known as Merry, Dear Mr. Merry

The schoolmaster whose fussy, self-pitying table-talk about marmalade and ungrateful boys masks a man with no place in his life for criticism at all.

Bumpus

supporting

Also known as Mr. Bumpus, dear old Bumpus, old Bumpus, Dear old Bumpus

A retired clergyman among the Herricks' circle, forever puncturing Peter Fletcher's vanity and teasing the company with dry, affectionate malice.

Bentley

major

Also known as Mr. Bentley

A father whose silent, wounded dignity at his own breakfast table curdles into a running indictment of his sons' self-absorption and his family's ingratitude.

William Masson

supporting

Also known as Masson, William

A tall, weather-beaten Fellow of Herrick's old college, stammering and easeful, who once meant romance to his companion and now watches old age arrive.

Miss Basden

supporting

The Merrys' put-upon helper who earns her bread among them, offering marmalade judgments and tart reminders that the housekeeping is not Mr. Merry's province.

Nicholas

supporting

Also known as Poor Nicholas

Nicholas Herrick founded the school but leaves its running to Mr. Merry, reserving his energies for the book he believes will prove him a writer. Emily sees through him utterly yet keeps him propped up, convinced he would crumble without her. His self-image as a kind of hero, and the question of whether the book justifies it, drives the novel's central comedy of misplaced faith.

Mr. Burgess

supporting

Also known as Burgess

Mr. Burgess is the junior master at the Herrick school, summoned late to breakfast and teased by the boys for his fondness for his bed. He performs his religious duties with an air of attentive interest while keeping one eye on the sky and the other on his paper. His easy, self-pleasing presence sharpens the contrast with Mr. Merry's anxious fussing over duty.

Mrs. Merry

supporting

Also known as Merry

Mrs. Merry runs the domestic machinery of the school while her husband Mr. Merry lectures the boys and second-guesses her housekeeping. She defends her preserves against his vague accusations of watering them, correcting his logic without raising her voice. Her steady, unglamorous competence quietly exposes the gap between the school's public dignity and its daily muddle.

Theresa

supporting

Also known as Aunt Theresa

Theresa is the aunt-like presence in the Herrick circle, listening to Emily's confidences about Nicholas and offering the occasional deflating remark. She sits through readings and farewell sermons with an air of unimpressed clarity, unafraid to tell a self-important man he is self-important. Her dry skepticism gives the reader a foothold of sanity amid the novel's swirl of self-deception.

Mr. Herrick

minor

Also known as Herrick

Father or relative of Emily Herrick, a minor authority figure.

Francis Fletcher

supporting

Also known as the Reverend Francis Fletcher, Francis, Fletcher

Francis Fletcher is the Reverend whose impending retirement and farewell sermon become a running topic among the Herrick circle. He leans back with his fingertips together, admits vanity may lack its necessities of life, and lets Bumpus tease him about his unbuttoned coat. His mild, well-defended complacency makes him a perfect foil for the novel's sharper talkers.

Delia

minor

A female character with a modest but distinct presence.

Lydia Fletcher

supporting

Also known as Miss Lydia Fletcher, Miss Lydia, Lyddie, Lydia, Fletcher, Miss Fletcher

Miss Lydia moves through the Herrick circle with lowered eyes and a voice of gentle unworthiness, deploring ritualism and praising the simpler service. She declines to stay for the readings because duty calls her elsewhere, yet lingers long enough to be thanked for it. Her blend of humility and quiet self-promotion makes her one of the novel's most delicately comic figures.

Miss Herrick

minor

Also known as Poor Miss Herrick, Herrick

Another Herrick female, possibly a sister or aunt of Emily.

Richard

minor

A male character with a minor role, possibly a friend or relative.

Dickie

minor

A child or young male character, possibly a servant.

Father

minor

A generic father figure, possibly a character's parent.

Mother

minor

A generic mother figure, possibly a character's parent.

Miss Bentley

minor

Also known as Bentley

A female relative of Bentley, mentioned briefly.

Mr. Fletcher

minor

Also known as Fletcher

Father or relative of the Fletcher family, a minor character.

John

minor

Also known as little John

A child or young character, possibly a servant or relative.

Crabbe

minor

Also known as old Crabbe, poor old Crabbe, Mr. Crabbe, Good old Crabbe

An older male character, possibly a servant or local eccentric.

Uncle Peter

minor

Also known as Peter

An uncle figure, likely providing advice or humor.

Harry Bentley

minor

Also known as the Reverend Henry Bentley, Harry

A clergyman relative of Bentley, with a minor role.

Fanny

minor

A female character with limited appearances.

Johnson

minor

A servant or minor functionary.

Peter Fletcher

minor

Also known as III The Reverend Peter Fletcher, Peter

A clergyman with a very minor role.

Mrs. Fletcher

minor

Wife or mother in the Fletcher family, barely present.

Aunt Lyddie

minor

Also known as Lyddie

An aunt figure, possibly related to Lydia Fletcher.

Charles

minor

A minor male character, possibly a servant or visitor.

Adams

minor

A servant or tradesman with a single mention.

Mr. Masson

minor

Also known as Masson

Possibly a relative of William Masson, barely mentioned.