Basil · Chapter
IX explained
Basil, determined to pursue Margaret despite her objections based on rank, writes to Mr.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Pride
Basil's awareness of rank and his attempt to use appearances to overcome class barriers.
Forbidden Love and Marriage
Basil's pursuit of Margaret despite the social obstacles and her initial refusal based on rank.
Secrecy and Deception
Basil's secret correspondence and meetings with Margaret, and his use of a servant as an ally.
Characters to notice
- Basil
Determined to pursue Margaret despite her objections; writes to Mr. Sherwin and borrows a carriage to impress him.
- Margaret Sherwin
Insists on the difference in rank as a barrier to Basil's advances, but shows signs of affection.
- Mr. Sherwin
Receives Basil's letter and agrees to an interview; described as controlling and particular about servants' caps.
- Clara
Mentioned as a possible source of a carriage, but Basil avoids using hers.
- Ralph
Mentioned as a friend who lends Basil a carriage.
Key passages
“The letter was superscribed “Private;” and simply requested an interview with him on a subject of importance, at any hour he might mention.”
Basil wrote a private letter to Mr. Sherwin asking for a meeting about an important matter.
Basil initiates contact with Margaret's father.
“I applied to a friend whom I could rely on as likely to ask no questions—I write this in shame and sorrow: I tell truth here, where it is hard penance to tell it—I applied, I say, to a friend for the loan of one of his carriages to take me to North Villa; fearing the risk of borrowing my father’s carriage, or my sister’s—knowing the common weakness of rank-worship and wealth-worship in men of Mr. Sherwin’s order, and meanly determining to profit by it to the utmost.”
Basil borrowed a carriage from a friend to impress Mr. Sherwin, acknowledging his own shameful manipulation of class snobbery.
Basil uses appearances to influence Mr. Sherwin.
“She answered, as she had answered me in her letter: the difference in our rank made it her duty to discourage me.”
Margaret repeated that their different social standings meant she must discourage Basil's advances.
Margaret's consistent objection based on rank.
“I will tell him that you take a rank in beauty and goodness, which is the highest rank in the land—a far higher rank than mine—the only rank I desire.”
Basil declares that Margaret's beauty and virtue outrank any social status, and that he desires only her.
Basil's romantic idealization of Margaret.