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Shirley · Character

Mr. Sweeting

A good-natured and somewhat timid curate.

minor

Also known as Mr. Sweeting of Nunnely, poor Mr. Sweeting, Sweeting, little Sweeting, Little Sweeting, Nunnely, little Mr. Sweeting, Little Mr. Sweeting, Davy, Davy Sweeting, David, Mrs. David Sweeting, David Sweeting, Mrs. Sweeting

First appearance: The Curates at Tea

Mr. Sweeting shows up with force in I: Levitical. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Curate of Nunnely, a small man who plays the flute and sings hymns, teased as 'the ladies' pet' and about his family.
In the storyI: LeviticalOpen this moment free

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In I: Levitical: Curate of Nunnely, a small man who plays the flute and sings hymns, teased as 'the ladies' pet' and about his family. Later, in The Curates at Tea: The smallest and most boyish curate, noted as being…

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

See Mr. Sweeting in The Curates at Tea

Character Web

31 connections

A slice of how Mr. Sweeting sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

MMMiss MooreMCMary CaveWFWilliam FarrenMHMargaret HallMBMoses Barraclo…MSMr. Sweeting

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Major characters and community
  • Extended cast and background figures
  • Antagonists and servants

+26 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

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

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

Louis Moore’s decision to leave his “cell” and seek out the empty parlours marks the emotional and psychologic…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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In the story

Mr. Sweeting appears across 3 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mr. Sweeting unlock in the free preview.

See Mr. Sweeting in The Curates at Tea
Who is Mr. Sweeting in Shirley?