Basil · Chapter
V explained
Basil receives a letter from Robert Mannion, who is in the hospital after Basil's attack.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Revenge and Obsession
Mannion's letter is a manifesto of revenge, detailing a lifelong plot against Basil's family and his obsessive desire to ruin him.
Secrecy and Deception
Mannion reveals the layers of deception he has maintained, and Basil realizes he has been blind to the secrets around him.
Family Duty and Estrangement
Basil is estranged from his family and home, and Mannion's letter reveals a deep, inherited enmity between their families.
Characters to notice
- Basil
Reads Mannion's letter, which reveals a deep-seated family enmity and a plot against him. He is left feeling overwhelmed, isolated, and without a home.
- Robert Mannion
Writes a long letter from the hospital, confessing his past and his plot against Basil. He reveals his family's history and his intention to ruin Basil.
- Margaret Sherwin
Mannion declares her to be guilty and describes her as inherently deceitful and without a strong mind or heart.
- Mr. Sherwin
Mannion describes how he manipulated Mr. Sherwin's ambition for his daughter, using it to gain influence over Margaret.
- Mrs. Sherwin
Mannion notes that she was the only one in the family who suspected his intentions from the first, but her suspicions were ignored.
Key passages
“I had suffered a letter, which might contain written proof of her guilt, to be taken, from under my own eyes, to Margaret Sherwin!”
Basil realizes he allowed a potentially incriminating letter to be taken from him and given to Margaret.
Basil's shock and self-reproach at his own blindness.
“You will silence any uneasy upbraidings of conscience, should you feel them, by saying that I have deserved death at your hands. I will tell you, in answer, what you deserve and shall receive at mine.”
Mannion dismisses any guilt Basil might feel, and promises that Basil will get what he deserves.
Mannion's explicit threat of revenge.
“She is guilty: willingly guilty, remember, whatever she may say to the contrary.”
Mannion asserts that Margaret is guilty and that her claims of innocence are false.
Mannion's direct accusation against Margaret.
“I have given you fair play, as the huntsmen give fair play at starting to the animal they are about to run down.”
Mannion compares his warning to Basil to a hunter giving a head start to its prey.
Mannion's cold and predatory view of his pursuit of Basil.
“As a stranger I had been driven from my home, and as a stranger I was resigned to live, until I had learnt how to conquer my misfortune by my own vigour and endurance.”
Basil accepts his exile from home and resolves to face his troubles alone.
Basil's determination to keep his secret and endure his suffering independently.