Pastors and Masters · Chapter
VI explained
The literary inauguration of Herrick and Bumpus is planned, but Francis Fletcher declines to attend, citing his clerical duties.
What happens
The literary inauguration of Herrick and Bumpus is planned, but Francis Fletcher declines to attend, citing his clerical duties. The gathering becomes tense as Herrick and Bumpus prepare to read their works. Emily Herrick, turning fifty-one, confides in Theresa her suspicion that Herrick's book was actually taken from the dying Crabbe, and that Bumpus's lost manuscript, saved by Masson, is the same as his early work. The chapter reveals deep deceptions and the characters' struggles with creativity, failure, and hypocrisy.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Appearance
The characters maintain polite facades while concealing the truth about the books' origins and their own deceptions.
Creativity and Failure
Herrick and Bumpus struggle with creative inadequacy, leading to plagiarism and the recycling of old work.
Aging and Mortality
Emily's birthday reflections on turning fifty-one highlight her fear of dwindling life and dissatisfaction with living.
Characters to notice
- Francis Fletcher
Declines to attend the literary inauguration, citing his clerical duties and lack of time for recreative reading.
- Emily Herrick
Turns fifty-one and confides in Theresa her suspicions about Herrick's book being taken from Crabbe and Bumpus's manuscript being recycled.
- Bumpus
Reveals his manuscript was left in Crabbe's room and lost, and later learns Masson saved a copy of his early work.
- Herrick
Claims his book inspiration came from sitting up with Crabbe, but Emily suspects he took Crabbe's work.
- Theresa
Listens to Emily's revelations about the books and offers quiet support.
- William Masson
Reveals he saved Bumpus's early manuscript, which he had kept for years without reading.
Key passages
“I hope, Uncle Peter," said Francis, "that Mr. Herrick and Mr. Bumpus will excuse me for not being present at their literary inauguration.”
Francis asks Uncle Peter to apologize to Herrick and Bumpus for missing their book reading.
Francis prioritizes his clerical duties over social literary events.
“It came to me, you know, that night when we sat up in turns with old Crabbe. The whole thing came upon me, just through that little service to somebody else.”
Herrick claims his book idea came to him while sitting up with the dying Crabbe.
Herrick uses Crabbe's death as a convenient inspiration story.
“I left it in old Crabbe's room that night he died; and it was got rid of with the other things.”
Bumpus says he left his manuscript in Crabbe's room and it was thrown away.
Bumpus's lost manuscript becomes a key plot point.
“Richard," said Masson, in a quick, expressionless voice, "you know that copy of your other book, that you gave to me once... I put it by... So I have it, if you can use it.”
Masson reveals he kept Bumpus's old manuscript and offers it back.
Masson's preservation of the manuscript exposes the truth about the books.
“I am fifty-one; and I don't like getting to have so little life left. And yet I don't much like living, which is absurd.”
Emily laments turning fifty-one and her conflicted feelings about life.
Emily's birthday reflections reveal her existential discontent.
