# Francis Fletcher — Pastors and Masters character guide

> Francis Fletcher in Pastors and Masters by Ivy Compton-Burnett.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the Reverend Francis Fletcher, Francis, Fletcher

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Snapshot

A clergyman of careful self-regard, retiring from his post with a farewell sermon he has mapped out in outline and fingertip precision.

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

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

_psychological_

Francis Fletcher and Miss Basden have a psychologically complex dynamic, with Francis possibly manipulating or obsessing over Miss Basden.

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

_psychological_

Francis Fletcher and Miss Basden have a psychologically complex dynamic, with Francis possibly manipulating or obsessing over Miss Basden.

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

_psychological_

Francis Fletcher and Miss Basden have a psychologically complex dynamic, with Francis possibly manipulating or obsessing over Miss Basden.

## In the story

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

Declines to attend the literary inauguration, citing his clerical duties and lack of time for recreative reading.

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

Defends traditional gender roles, expresses discomfort with women's suffrage and divorce law reforms, and admits to reading mainly the Bible.

## Links

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