# Miss Basden — Pastors and Masters character guide

> Miss Basden in Pastors and Masters by Ivy Compton-Burnett.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Emily Herrick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/emily_herrick)

_friendship_

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

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

_professional_

Miss Basden and Mr. Merry have a professional relationship, possibly as fellow teachers with some tension.

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

_professional_

Miss Basden and Mr. Burgess have a professional relationship, likely as colleagues with some underlying tension.

### [Francis Fletcher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/francis_fletcher)

_psychological_

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

### [Emily Herrick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/emily_herrick)

_friendship_

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

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

_professional_

Miss Basden and Mr. Merry have a professional relationship, possibly as fellow teachers with some tension.

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

_professional_

Miss Basden and Mr. Merry have a professional relationship, possibly as fellow teachers with some tension.

### [Francis Fletcher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/francis_fletcher)

_psychological_

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

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

_professional_

Miss Basden and Mr. Burgess have a professional relationship, likely as colleagues with some underlying tension.

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

_professional_

Miss Basden and Mr. Burgess have a professional relationship, likely as colleagues with some underlying tension.

### [Francis Fletcher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/francis_fletcher)

_psychological_

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

### [Emily Herrick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/emily_herrick)

_friendship_

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

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/chapters/i)

Matron and teacher of music and French; cuts bread at breakfast; helps organize the boys' birthday gift for Mrs. Merry; speaks with a mingled tone of equality, respect, and duty.

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

Helps manage the household chaos and is praised by Mr. Merry as being 'one of ourselves.'

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

Argues for women's equality, supports divorce law changes, and prefers reading French literature over English.

## Links

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