Basil · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Basil by Wilkie Collins.
Chapter 1
Letter of Dedication
In this prefatory letter, Wilkie Collins dedicates 'Basil' to his friend Charles James Ward, reflecting on the novel's origins in real life, its defense against charges of impropriety, and its eventual success. He articulates his literary philosophy, emphasizing the importance of grounding fiction in reality while also employing extraordinary events to engage readers' deeper emotions. Collins also addresses critics who misunderstood the book's moral purpose, asserting his commitment to portraying vice with its true consequences.
Chapter 2
Basil Part I
Basil begins his narrative, describing his family and his first meeting with Margaret in an omnibus. He is immediately captivated by her, and despite the social differences, he seeks her out. He avoids Clara and leaves London, eventually marrying Margaret. He is introduced to Mr. Mannion, and later overhears Margaret's quarrel. Clara visits Basil in his lodging, and Ralph offers to help him. Basil discovers Margaret's betrayal, receives Mannion's letter from the hospital, and experiences Margaret's death. He suffers an illness and recovery, and finally returns to Cornwall.
Chapter 3
I
Basil begins his narrative on his twenty-fourth birthday, living in seclusion in a Cornish fishing hamlet. He explains his purpose: to write the story of a year of his life, an error with innocent beginnings and fatal results, hoping it will be read charitably after his death. He lives under the threat of an unknown enemy and reflects on his solitude.
Chapter 4
II
Basil continues his narrative, explaining his family background and education. He is the second son of a wealthy English gentleman, with an elder brother and a younger sister. His mother died after giving birth to the youngest. He was educated at public school and college, where he became disillusioned with the sycophancy and class distinctions. He chose the bar as a profession to facilitate his literary ambitions, and he enjoys financial independence, allowing him to pursue literature without the struggle for bread.
Chapter 5
III
Basil reflects on his father's character, describing him as the proudest man he ever knew. His father's pride is not conventional but is a quiet, inbred pride based on ancestry rather than rank. Basil illustrates this with an anecdote where his father, at a dinner, prioritizes a penniless Abbe of ancient lineage over a newly ennobled merchant. Basil also describes his father's demeanor towards his family—distant, formal, and never intimate—and his special gallantry towards his sister.
Chapter 6
IV
Basil reflects on his elder brother Ralph's wayward life, his father's failed attempts to reform him, and Ralph's eventual reformation under the influence of an older woman. He then turns to his beloved sister Clara, expressing deep emotion and affection for her, before closing his day's writing.
Chapter 7
V
Basil reflects on his sister Clara, describing her gentle nature, her influence on others, and her resemblance to their mother. He notes her quiet strength and the deep emotions she keeps hidden, and he acknowledges the comfort her memory brings him in his current solitude.
Chapter 8
VI
Basil describes his domestic life in London after returning from the continent. He lives with his father and sister Clara, who is weary of London society and longs for the country. Basil is writing a historical romance and spends most of his time reading and writing, while Clara manages his study and arranges his books. They enjoy secret rides into the countryside, visiting inns that remind them of home. Basil's routine is abruptly changed by a mere accident that alters the course of his life.
Chapter 9
VII
Basil, after his first meeting with Margaret, is unable to shake her image from his mind. He dines with a friend but finds no distraction, and returns to Hollyoake Square to see her again, watching her play with a canary. He returns home to find Clara, who has arranged his papers and notices his pallor. The chapter also includes Basil's recollection of the initial omnibus ride where he first saw Margaret, and his growing obsession with her.
Chapter 10
VIII
Basil, tormented by his newfound love for Margaret Sherwin, spends a sleepless night wrestling with the social consequences of a potential marriage. He dreams of two women, one from a dark wood and one from bright hills, representing his internal conflict. By morning, his resolve weakens, and he decides to pursue Margaret, dismissing his fears and embracing hope.
Chapter 11
IX
Basil, determined to pursue Margaret despite her objections based on rank, writes to Mr. Sherwin requesting an interview. He borrows a carriage to impress, and after a delay, receives a reply. He then arranges a secret meeting with Margaret in the garden, where she reiterates the difference in rank as a barrier. Basil insists on speaking to her father, and after she leaves, he sends a letter to Mr. Sherwin. Later, he returns to North Villa and bribes a servant to help him see Margaret again.
Chapter 12
The Proposal
Basil formally asks Mr. Sherwin for Margaret's hand in marriage, proposing a secret courtship and marriage due to his father's prejudices. Mr. Sherwin is flattered but cautious, concerned about financial implications and Basil's family's reaction. Basil assures him of his commitment and suggests a private marriage as a strategy to eventually win his father's approval. They agree to meet again in two days.
Chapter 13
XI
Basil meets with Mr. Sherwin to discuss the terms of his engagement to Margaret. Mr. Sherwin proposes a secret marriage with a year's delay before the union is publicly acknowledged, to protect Margaret's reputation should Basil's family intervene. Basil agrees to the plan, feeling the weight of the deception. He then avoids his sister Clara, leaves London for two days to endure his suspense, and upon his return, he is finally allowed to see Margaret alone, declaring his love before being interrupted by her father.
Chapter 14
XII
Basil marries Margaret Sherwin in a quiet ceremony, feeling the weight of his secret and the strange conditions of his marriage. He rides out to vent his emotions and later dines with the Sherwins, where he kisses Margaret for the first time. Returning home, he finds Clara and his father planning new bookcases for him. His father announces their return to the country in a week, which conflicts with Basil's secret plans. Basil's hesitation and embarrassment lead his father to suspect a secret, but he chooses not to pry, expressing his trust in Basil's honor. Clara, sensing Basil's distress, offers her unwavering support and asks only that he trust her in times of trouble.
Chapter 15
I
Basil reflects on his year of probation after marrying Margaret, describing the terms of their daily meetings and his attempts to educate her. He recounts Margaret's intense curiosity about his family's wealth and social status, particularly Clara's dresses and habits. Basil is blinded by love, ignoring the warning signs in Margaret's superficial interests.
Chapter 16
II
Basil questions Mr. Sherwin about his mysterious clerk, Mr. Mannion. Mr. Sherwin praises Mannion's efficiency and trustworthiness but admits he knows nothing of his past. Mrs. Sherwin shows a nervous aversion to Mannion, while Margaret seems indifferent. Basil becomes intrigued by the mystery surrounding Mannion and resolves to investigate him, even considering making Margaret his ally in this project.
Chapter 17
III
Basil remains curious about Mr. Mannion's past and character, but Margaret avoids the topic and Mrs. Sherwin gives confused responses. One stormy night, Basil takes shelter at Mannion's home and observes his modest, book-filled room and precise tea-making. Mannion offers his services to Basil and Margaret, but a flash of lightning momentarily makes him appear fiendish. Basil leaves with mixed feelings, resolving to judge Mannion by present conduct rather than past history.
Chapter 18
IV
Basil recounts minor domestic disturbances with Margaret, including her insistence on a new dress and her petulant behavior, which he overlooks due to his love. He also describes his growing reliance on Mr. Mannion's secret influence to manage Mr. Sherwin and secure private time with Margaret, despite his initial hesitation.
Chapter 19
V
Basil reflects on his strained visit to his family home, where his father remains cold and distant due to his secret marriage. Clara, his sister, writes to him urging him to visit for his father's sake, fearing a serious estrangement. Basil reluctantly returns to the Hall for a week, feeling like a stranger in his own home. Upon returning to London, he finds Margaret pale and nervous, and Mr. Mannion's hand is deadly cold, with a change in his voice, suggesting something happened during his absence.
Chapter 20
VI
Basil prepares for his wedding to Margaret, but on the last night before their marriage, he finds she has gone to a party at her rich aunt's house. Mr. Sherwin, suffering from a headache and ill-temper, explains that Margaret's attendance is for her financial benefit and that Mr. Mannion is accompanying her. Basil is disappointed and angry, and Mrs. Sherwin unexpectedly speaks out against Margaret going, which is out of character. Mr. Sherwin suggests Basil go to the party himself, and after some hesitation, Basil decides to go.
Chapter 21
Chapter VII
Basil, consumed by anticipation of reuniting with Margaret, waits near her aunt's house during a party. When Margaret and Mr. Mannion leave early, he follows them, but a street scuffle delays him. He tracks their cab to a secluded hotel, where he overhears a quarrel and discovers Margaret's betrayal. In a fit of rage, he attacks Mannion, nearly killing him, and then flees in a daze as Margaret escapes.
Chapter 22
I
Basil, in a feverish state, recalls the events leading to his ruin: his suspicion of Mannion, Margaret's deceit, and the betrayal that shattered his life. He relives his love turning to hatred, his discovery of the plot against him, and the night of horror that left him ill. The chapter ends with Clara's tender care and Basil's first tears since the catastrophe.
Chapter 23
II
Basil's recovery is marked by mental anguish and a growing obsession with Mannion's fate. He consults a newspaper to learn of Mannion's condition, finding he survived but lost an eye. Letters from Mr. Sherwin reveal attempts to manipulate and threaten Basil. Clara urges Basil to confess to their father, who confronts him.
Chapter 24
III
Basil, having recovered from his illness, is summoned by his father for a confrontation. He confesses his secret marriage to Margaret Sherwin, the daughter of a linen-draper. His father, a man of immense family pride, is devastated and enraged. He disowns Basil, symbolically erasing his name from the family history book, and banishes him from the house. Clara offers her support, but the gulf between father and son is now permanent.
Chapter 25
IV
Basil visits Mrs. Sherwin on her deathbed, where she confesses Margaret's guilt and bears witness to Basil's truth. After her death, a servant reveals secret letters to Margaret, and Basil discovers the handwriting matches an unopened letter from Robert Mannion.
Chapter 26
V
Basil receives a letter from Robert Mannion, who is in the hospital after Basil's attack. Mannion reveals that he knows of Margaret's guilt and that he has a long-standing enmity with Basil's family. He details his past, including his father's execution and his own history with the Sherwin family, and his plot to ruin Basil. The letter ends with a threat that they will meet soon. Overwhelmed, Basil wanders the streets, feeling isolated and without a home.
Chapter 27
VI
Ralph visits Basil and reports on his visit to the Sherwin household. He describes Mr. Sherwin's bluster and Mrs. Sherwin's illness, and his conversation with Clara, who is distraught over Basil's situation. Ralph offers to handle the negotiations with the Sherwins, proposing to buy their silence with money. Basil tells Ralph about his struggle with Mannion and his plan to offer his own small income to the Sherwins to protect his family, a plan Ralph rejects as foolish.
Chapter 28
Chapter VII
Basil is summoned to Margaret's deathbed, where she lies in a feverish delirium. Despite her betrayal, he goes to her, hoping to bring her peace in her final moments. The doctor warns of Mannion's dangerous monomania, and Basil, moved by compassion and a sense of duty, decides to attend to Margaret, setting aside his own grievances.
Chapter 29
VIII
Basil stands alone at Margaret's grave, reflecting on her death and her father's unforgiving letter. Robert Mannion appears, horribly disfigured, and vows to make Basil's life a long expiation. Basil decides to leave London for Cornwall, but first lingers near his father's house hoping to see Clara. Ralph arrives and urges Basil to leave London immediately to spare Clara further distress.
Chapter 30
Journal
Basil concludes his retrospective narrative and begins a journal to record his daily life in a remote Cornish fishing hamlet. He describes his isolation, the initial suspicion of the superstitious villagers, and his growing sense of alienation as they begin to shun him. His mental and physical health deteriorate, marked by feverish dreams and a profound longing for Clara, culminating in a doctor's visit and his fear of dying alone.
Chapter 31
Letters in Conclusion
The chapter consists solely of letters that serve as a conclusion to the narrative, providing final updates and resolutions for the characters.
Chapter 32
Letter I
William Penhale writes to his wife Mary in London, sharing news from Cornwall. He reports that a mysterious young gentleman has fallen ill at the local inn, showing signs of severe mental distress. The doctor believes the man needs care from his relations and decides to write to his family. William encloses the doctor's letter for Mary to deliver, hoping she can trace the young man's friends in London.
Chapter 33
Letter II
Mary Penhale writes to her husband William about delivering a doctor's letter to the family of a sick young gentleman in Cornwall. She visits the grand London house, meets the young lady (Clara) and her brother, and they plan to travel to Cornwall to bring the invalid home. Mary also conveys messages from Susan and describes her emotional encounter with Clara, who is deeply affected by the news.
Chapter 34
Letter III
In this concluding letter, Basil writes to his friend Mr. Bernard, recalling the circumstances of a promise made eight years prior. He agrees to allow the publication of his autobiography, provided names and places are concealed. He reflects on his father's death, his reconciliation, and his current life of retirement with Clara at Lanreath Cottage. He declines Ralph's offer to enter public life, choosing instead a quiet existence devoted to helping the poor and ignorant. He also mentions the fate of Mr. Sherwin, who became bankrupt and now lives in France, and expresses his enduring reluctance to speak of certain painful memories.
Chapter 35
Endnotes
The editor notes that some lines of writing beyond this point are illegible, ending the narrative.
