# II explained — Basil

> Chapter companion for Basil by Wilkie Collins.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Pride

Basil's family pride and the class distinctions at university, where rank trumps merit.

### The Ideal vs. The Real

Basil's idealistic view of literature versus the reality of the bar and the university's corruption.

## Character check-ins

### Basil

Narrator, second son, chooses the bar for literary pursuits, financially independent.

### Ralph

Basil's elder brother, mentioned as part of the family.

### Clara

Basil's younger sister, mentioned as part of the family.

## Key lines

> I could devote myself wholly and unreservedly to literature, knowing that, in my case, the struggle for fame could never be identical—terribly, though gloriously identical—with the struggle for bread.

Basil could pursue writing without worrying about making a living, unlike many others.

_Highlights his privileged position._

> I found sycophancy established there, as a principle of action; flaunting on the lord's gold tassel in the street; enthroned on the lord's dais in the dining-room.

At college, Basil saw that flattery of the nobility was the norm, with lords given special treatment.

_Critique of university life._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-i-ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/basil_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/basil_se/chapters