VI explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Social Class and Pride

  Basil's discomfort with attending a party where he is unknown and where people 'live in a different world' highlights class distinctions and his own pride.

• Secrecy and Deception

  Basil's secret engagement and his plan to reveal it only to Clara, while keeping it from his father, underscores the theme of secrecy.

• Family Duty and Estrangement

  Mr. Sherwin's insistence on Margaret attending the party for her aunt's money shows family duty tied to financial gain, while Basil's relationship with his own father is distant and cold.

Characters to notice

• Basil

  Feels joy and anticipation for his upcoming marriage but is disappointed and angry that Margaret is not at home on their last night before the wedding. He is also vexed by Margaret's recent capricious behavior.

• Margaret Sherwin

  Not present in the chapter but is the subject of discussion. She has gone to a party at her aunt's house, which upsets Basil. Her recent behavior has been variable, showing both affection and irritability.

• Robert Mannion

  Continues to be a reliable friend to Basil but is an altered man, showing signs of illness with sudden attacks of spasm and giddiness. He is accompanying Margaret to the party.

• Mr. Sherwin

  Suffering from a headache and ill-temper, he defends his decision to send Margaret to the party for her financial interest. He suggests Basil go to the party himself.

• Mrs. Sherwin

  Speaks out unexpectedly against Margaret going to the party, which is unusual for her. She nods significantly at Basil, seemingly wishing him to join Margaret.

• Clara

  Basil privately informs her that he will share his long-treasured secret with her the next day before he leaves.

Key passages

• “These unaccountable alterations of manner vexed and irritated me indescribably.”

  Margaret's unpredictable changes in mood annoyed and frustrated me beyond words.

  Basil expresses his irritation at Margaret's inconsistent behavior.

• “One month’s unalloyed happiness with Margaret, away from the world and all worldly considerations, was the Eden upon earth towards which my dearest hope and anticipations had pointed for a whole year past.”

  A month of pure happiness with Margaret, isolated from the world, was the perfect ideal I had been hoping for all year.

  Basil's idealized vision of his upcoming marriage.

• “I was angry as well as disappointed at what had taken place. To send Margaret out, on this evening of all others, showed a want of consideration towards both of us, which revolted me.”

  I was both angry and disappointed. Sending Margaret out on this particular night showed a lack of consideration that disgusted me.

  Basil's reaction to Margaret's absence on their last night before marriage.

• “I said she oughtn’t to go at all, whatever her aunt wrote⁠— I said that.”

  I said she shouldn't go at all, no matter what her aunt wrote.

  Mrs. Sherwin's unexpected and bold statement against Margaret going to the party.