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The Lady of the Barge · Character

Bob Pretty

A sharp-witted bargeman whose easy charm and quicker tongue keep him a step ahead of every skipper and mate who tries to pin him down.

supporting

Also known as Bob, ses Bob Pretty, ses Bob

First appearance: the lady of the barge

As a supporting figure in The Lady of the Barge, Bob Pretty is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Servant who assists with the rope and candle, and runs for help after the accident.
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Bob Pretty moves through the river folk as a man who always seems to know more than he lets on, trading on other people's assumptions while keeping his own counsel. His gift for talk gets him out of scrapes and into…

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

See Bob Pretty in the lady of the barge

Character Web

9 connections

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

HWHenery WalkerGKGeorge KettleHSHerbert SmithSJSam JonesJBJohn BiggsBPBob Pretty

Relationship types

  • Rivalry
  • Other

Character groups

  • Scheming and Recurring Villagers
  • Extensive Minor Cast
  • Wily and Startled Elders
  • Minor Village Characters

+4 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

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

SetupEscalationClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Closing

This excerpt is the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of anticipation a…

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Relationships

Relationship notes

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

See Bob Pretty in the lady of the barge

In the story

Bob Pretty appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Bob Pretty unlock in the free preview.

See Bob Pretty in the lady of the barge