# Dairyman Crick — Tess of the d’Urbervilles character guide

> Dairyman Crick in Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy.

**Role:** supporting

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

**First appearance:** 0022-xvii

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Tess Durbeyfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/tess_durbeyfield)

_professional_

Dairyman Crick is Tess's kind employer at Talbothays Dairy, treating her with respect and fairness.

### [Angel Clare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/angel_clare)

_professional_

Angel works as a milkman under Dairyman Crick, who respects him as a capable and educated worker.

### [Tess Durbeyfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/tess_durbeyfield)

_professional_

Dairyman Crick is Tess's kind employer at Talbothays Dairy, treating her with respect and fairness.

### [Tess Durbeyfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/tess_durbeyfield)

_professional_

Dairyman Crick is Tess's kind employer at Talbothays Dairy, treating her with respect and fairness.

### [Angel Clare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/angel_clare)

_professional_

Angel works as a milkman under Dairyman Crick, who respects him as a capable and educated worker.

### [Angel Clare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/angel_clare)

_professional_

Angel works as a milkman under Dairyman Crick, who respects him as a capable and educated worker.

## In the story

### [Phase the Third: The Rally](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/phase-the-third-the-rally)

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

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xvii)

Welcomes Tess warmly, assigns her to milking, and tells a story about William Dewy and a bull.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xx)

Dairyman Crick oversees the dairy, lecturing latecomers and scolding old Deborah Fyander for her slovenly ways.

### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xxii)

Dairyman Crick organizes the garlic search and expresses concern for Tess's health, telling her to rest.

### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xxiv)

Mentions the heat and practicalities of dairy work; unaware of the intimate moment between Tess and Angel.

### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xxvii)

Mentioned as having gone to market with Mrs. Crick.

### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xxviii)

Mr. Crick and his wife suspect a mutual interest between Tess and Angel, but they leave the pair alone during cheese-making.

### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xxix)

Tells the story of Jack Dollop's marriage to a widow, which triggers Tess's anxiety about revealing her own history.

### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xxxiii)

Prepares the dairy kitchen for the wedding, whitening the chimney and hanging a new blower as a noiseless celebration.

### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/chapters/xxxvii)

Angel visits Dairyman Crick to wind up business, and Tess calls on Mrs. Crick to avoid suspicion.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters/dairyman_crick
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tess_of_the_d_urbervilles_se/characters