Tess of the d’Urbervilles · Character

Dairyman Crick

The hearty master of Talbothays Dairy, known as plain Dick all week and Mister Richard Crick on Sundays, who gives Tess her fresh start among the cows.

supporting

Also known as Crick, Mr. Crick, Mr. Dairyman Crick

First appearance: XVII

As a supporting figure in Tess of the d’Urbervilles, Dairyman Crick is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The jovial and hardworking owner of the dairy, who employs Tess and the other milkmaids.

In the storyPhase the Third: The RallyOpen this moment free

Dairyman Crick first appears in 0022 xvii.

With Tess Durbeyfield (professional): Dairyman Crick is Tess's kind employer at Talbothays Dairy, treating her with respect and fairness. With Angel Clare (professional): Angel works as a milkman under Dairyman Crick, who respects him as a capable and educated worker. With Tess Durbeyfield (professional): Dairyman Crick is Tess's kind employer at Talbothays Dairy, treating her with respect and fairness.

See Dairyman Crick in Phase the Third: The Rally Book page

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Character Web

17 connections

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

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Tess's primary antagonists and lovers
Minor family, background, and symbolic figures
Tess's harsh employers and rivals

+12 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

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak of Angel Clare’s int…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Tess Durbeyfield
professional · positive
Dairyman Crick is Tess's kind employer at Talbothays Dairy, treating her with respect and… How this plays out →
Angel Clare
professional · positive
Tess Durbeyfield
professional · positive
Dairyman Crick is Tess's kind employer at Talbothays Dairy, treating her with respect and… How this plays out →
Tess Durbeyfield
professional · positive
Dairyman Crick is Tess's kind employer at Talbothays Dairy, treating her with respect and… How this plays out →
Angel Clare
professional · positive
Angel Clare
professional · positive

Tess Durbeyfield
Dairyman Crick is Tess's kind employer at Talbothays Dairy, treating her with respect and fairness.
Angel Clare
Angel works as a milkman under Dairyman Crick, who respects him as a capable and educated worker.
Tess Durbeyfield
Dairyman Crick is Tess's kind employer at Talbothays Dairy, treating her with respect and fairness.
Tess Durbeyfield
Dairyman Crick is Tess's kind employer at Talbothays Dairy, treating her with respect and fairness.
Angel Clare
Angel works as a milkman under Dairyman Crick, who respects him as a capable and educated worker.
Angel Clare
Angel works as a milkman under Dairyman Crick, who respects him as a capable and educated worker.

Relationship notes

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

See Dairyman Crick in XVII

In the story

Dairyman Crick appears across 14 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Phase the Third: The Rally
The jovial and hardworking owner of the dairy, who employs Tess and the other milkmaids.
XVII
Welcomes Tess warmly, assigns her to milking, and tells a story about William Dewy and a bull.
XVIII
The dairyman is present at breakfast, engaging with Tess's philosophical musings with genuine curiosity. He is a practical man but open to new ideas.
XIX
Explains to Tess that Clare scorns old families, using Retty Priddle as an example. Maintains the rule of rotating cows among milkers.
Phase the Third: The Rally — Chapter XX
Dairyman Crick oversees the dairy, lecturing latecomers and scolding old Deborah Fyander for her slovenly ways.
XXI
Dairyman Crick is frustrated by the butter not coming and tells the story of Jack Dollop to explain the phenomenon. He shows concern for Tess when she feels faint.
XXII
Dairyman Crick organizes the garlic search and expresses concern for Tess's health, telling her to rest.
XXIV
Mentions the heat and practicalities of dairy work; unaware of the intimate moment between Tess and Angel.
XXVII
Mentioned as having gone to market with Mrs. Crick.
XXVIII
Mr. Crick and his wife suspect a mutual interest between Tess and Angel, but they leave the pair alone during cheese-making.
XXIX
Tells the story of Jack Dollop's marriage to a widow, which triggers Tess's anxiety about revealing her own history.
XXXII
Expresses concern about losing Tess as a worker, though he had previously considered dismissing her. He is told of the engagement in confidence.
XXXIII
Prepares the dairy kitchen for the wedding, whitening the chimney and hanging a new blower as a noiseless celebration.
XXXVII
Angel visits Dairyman Crick to wind up business, and Tess calls on Mrs. Crick to avoid suspicion.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Dairyman Crick unlock in the free preview.

See Dairyman Crick in XVII

See Dairyman Crick in Phase the Third: The Rally