# Emily Herrick — Pastors and Masters character guide

> Emily Herrick in Pastors and Masters by Ivy Compton-Burnett.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Emily, Herrick

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Bumpus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/bumpus)

_friendship_

Bumpus and Emily share a close, frequent companionship, likely as allies in the social dynamics of the school.

### [Nicholas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/nicholas)

_romantic_

Emily and Nicholas have a deeply intertwined relationship marked by romantic tension and emotional dependency.

### [William Masson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/william_masson)

_professional_

Emily and William Masson interact frequently in a professional capacity, likely as colleagues or mentor-student within the academic setting.

### [Mr. Merry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/mr_merry)

_professional_

Emily and Mr. Merry have a frequent professional relationship, possibly as teacher and student or administrative colleagues.

### [Theresa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/theresa)

_friendship_

Emily and Theresa are close friends, providing each other with emotional support and companionship.

### [Miss Basden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/miss_basden)

_friendship_

Emily and Miss Basden are friendly companions, often interacting in social or school settings.

### [Dickie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/dickie)

_friendship_

Dickie and Emily Herrick share a friendly, possibly flirtatious companionship.

### [Mrs. Merry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/mrs_merry)

_social_

Emily and Mrs. Merry are acquaintances, interacting in the social orbit of the school community.

### [Nicholas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/nicholas)

_romantic_

Emily and Nicholas have a deeply intertwined relationship marked by romantic tension and emotional dependency.

### [Mr. Merry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/mr_merry)

_professional_

Emily and Mr. Merry have a frequent professional relationship, possibly as teacher and student or administrative colleagues.

### [Bumpus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/bumpus)

_friendship_

Bumpus and Emily share a close, frequent companionship, likely as allies in the social dynamics of the school.

### [William Masson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/william_masson)

_professional_

Emily and William Masson interact frequently in a professional capacity, likely as colleagues or mentor-student within the academic setting.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/chapters/ii)

Herrick's half-sister; a tall, dark woman of fifty who speaks frankly about duty and mortality.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/chapters/iii)

Expresses anxiety about her brother Nicholas's book, revealing her deep devotion and fear of his fragility; engages in sharp, witty dialogue about gender and family roles.

### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/chapters/iv)

Observes Mr. Merry's behavior critically and suggests inviting Mr. Bentley to dinner to improve relations.

### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/chapters/iv)

Expresses pride in the school and discusses his upcoming book, revealing a new self through his writing.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/chapters/vi)

Turns fifty-one and confides in Theresa her suspicions about Herrick's book being taken from Crabbe and Bumpus's manuscript being recycled.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/chapters/vi)

Claims his book inspiration came from sitting up with Crabbe, but Emily suspects he took Crabbe's work.

### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/chapters/vii)

Engages in sharp banter about gender roles and literature, defends her brother's views, and comments on the dynamics of the party.

### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/chapters/vii)

Dismisses questions about his book, makes philosophical remarks about patience and tolerance, and steers conversation toward Miss Lydia's brooch.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/emily_herrick
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters