Phoebe, Junior · Character

Sir Robert Dorset

A baronet and gentleman farmer, father of the Dorset sisters, whose easy county standing makes him a useful relation and an unreliable one.

supporting

Also known as Sir Robert, Poor Sir Robert, Robert

First appearance: VIII: The Dorsets

As a supporting figure in Phoebe, Junior, Sir Robert Dorset is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Attends the ball out of curiosity, viewing the event as akin to visiting the Cannibal Islands to observe savages.

In the storyMr. Copperhead's BallOpen this moment free

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Sir Robert Dorset belongs to the settled county gentry—the world the Copperheads ape and the Mays half-belong to—and his daughters move through Carlingford society with the confidence of people who have never had to explain themselves. He is a background presence whose name opens doors and whose fortunes, like his health, are not entirely dependable. As a connection of the Copperheads and a neighbor to the Mays, he helps map the social terrain on which Phoebe must make her way.

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The fuller portrait of Sir Robert Dorset sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Sir Robert Dorset in VIII: The Dorsets

Character Web

26 connections

A slice of how Sir Robert Dorset sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Family
Other

Character groups

Central characters and family
Minor and background characters

+21 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this scene, the emotional and psychological peak occurs as the May children confront their father’s sudden…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Clarence Copperhead
family · negative
Sir Robert Dorset is Clarence's father, a wealthy baronet who disapproves of Clarence's… How this plays out →
Clarence Copperhead
family · negative
Sir Robert Dorset is Clarence's father, a wealthy baronet who disapproves of Clarence's… How this plays out →
Clarence Copperhead
family · negative
Sir Robert Dorset is Clarence's father, a wealthy baronet who disapproves of Clarence's… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Sir Robert Dorset in VIII: The Dorsets

In the story

Sir Robert Dorset appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Mr. Copperhead's Ball
Attends the ball out of curiosity, viewing the event as akin to visiting the Cannibal Islands to observe savages.
IV: A Country Party
The father of the family, who views marriage for wealth as the natural course of affairs and comments on the City men's tendency to fat.
VI: A Morning Call
Stiff and uncomfortable, he is patronized by Mr. Copperhead and subtly offended by the rich man's bluntness, leading to an early departure.
VIII: The Dorsets
Mentioned as the object of Ursula's innocent preference; he gives no trouble, unlike clergymen.
The Millionaire
Drives Mr. Copperhead to Carlingford and privately tells Mr. May that Copperhead is 'the greatest brute' he knows.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Sir Robert Dorset unlock in the free preview.

See Sir Robert Dorset in VIII: The Dorsets

See Sir Robert Dorset in Mr. Copperhead's Ball