Pastors & Masters
1925
Pastors and Masters is a short novel by Ivy Compton-Burnett published in 1925. Called "a work of genius" by The New Statesman, it was the author's second novel and the first in which she introduced the characteristic style of clipped, precise dialogue that was to make her name.
BRIEF PLOT SUMMARY
In a grand but oppressive household, the widowed Ninian Middleton rules over his five children and his formidable mother Selina, with his eldest daughter Lavinia serving as his devoted companion and emotional prop. When Ninian suddenly announces his plan to remarry the intelligent widow Teresa Chilton, Lavinia is devastated at being displaced. Teresa briefly breaks off the engagement, but later writes to accept. Lavinia, desperate to prevent the marriage, intercepts the letter and hides it among her ill grandmother’s unread post, hoping Selina’s death will make the letter seem like an ignored plea.
Ninian marries Teresa anyway, and the family gradually warms to her. Years later, Ninian’s long-absent brother Ransom returns home dying. During his final days, he sets a trap: he asks Ninian to destroy an old will and bring him the later one (which leaves everything to Lavinia). Ninian secretly swaps them, destroying the later will so he can inherit instead. Ransom catches him in the act, witnessed by others.
Lavinia inherits Ransom’s fortune after his death. Ninian immediately begins pressuring Lavinia to hand over the money “for the family.” She resists and announces her intention to marry the family’s adopted dependent Hugo. Selina objects, believing Hugo is her late husband’s illegitimate son (and thus Lavinia’s half-brother). Investigations later prove Hugo is unrelated, clearing the way for marriage. However, under relentless paternal pressure, Lavinia eventually surrenders most of the inheritance to Ninian. Hugo, newly financially independent thanks to a separate legacy from Selina, realises Lavinia will always remain emotionally bound to her father.
He breaks off the engagement. The household settles back into its old power structure. Lavinia returns, sadder and wiser, to her role as dutiful daughter. The servants gossip in the kitchen: “Nothing ever happens.” One remarks dryly, “How are the mighty fallen.”
CRITICAL ACCLAIM
"As for Pastors and Masters, it is astonishing, alarming. It is like nothing else in the world. It is a work of genius. How to describe it – since there is nothing of which to take hold? ... No quotation could do this book justice"
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The New Statesman
