# Basil — Basil character guide > Basil in Basil by Wilkie Collins. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Basil **First appearance:** 0001-basil ## Snapshot A young gentleman of principle who defies his family by secretly marrying a linen-draper's daughter, then finds his honor tested by obsession, betrayal, and his own consuming jealousy. ## Who they are Basil is the novel's narrator, a younger son whose rigid sense of honor collides with his father's unforgiving pride and his brother Ralph's reckless example. His secret marriage to Margaret Sherwin, bound by a strange year-long probation, feeds a jealousy that curdles love into something darker and more dangerous. His struggle between family duty and private passion drives the early and middle chapters, making his slow moral unraveling the book's central engine. ## Relationships ### [Clara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters/clara) _romantic_ Basil is engaged to Clara, but their relationship is strained by his secret past and her growing suspicion and jealousy. ### [Ralph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters/ralph) _friendship_ Basil and Ralph are close friends, with Ralph serving as Basil's confidant and moral support during his troubles. ### [Margaret Sherwin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters/margaret_sherwin) _romantic_ Basil is secretly in love with Margaret, and their relationship is a forbidden, passionate affair that drives the plot. ### [Robert Mannion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters/robert_mannion) _rivalry_ Basil and Mannion are bitter rivals, with Mannion seeking to destroy Basil's reputation and happiness out of revenge. ### [Mr. Sherwin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters/mr_sherwin) _professional_ Basil is a client of Mr. Sherwin's legal firm, and their relationship is formal but strained due to Basil's secret affair with Margaret. ### [Clara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters/clara) _romantic_ Basil is engaged to Clara, but their relationship is strained by his secret past and her growing suspicion and jealousy. ### [Margaret Sherwin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters/margaret_sherwin) _romantic_ Basil is secretly in love with Margaret, and their relationship is a forbidden, passionate affair that drives the plot. ### [Ralph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters/ralph) _friendship_ Basil and Ralph are close friends, with Ralph serving as Basil's confidant and moral support during his troubles. ### [Robert Mannion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters/robert_mannion) _rivalry_ Basil and Mannion are bitter rivals, with Mannion seeking to destroy Basil's reputation and happiness out of revenge. ### [Mr. Sherwin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters/mr_sherwin) _professional_ Basil is a client of Mr. Sherwin's legal firm, and their relationship is formal but strained due to Basil's secret affair with Margaret. ### [Margaret Sherwin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters/margaret_sherwin) _romantic_ Basil is secretly in love with Margaret, and their relationship is a forbidden, passionate affair that drives the plot. ### [Mr. Sherwin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters/mr_sherwin) _professional_ Basil is a client of Mr. Sherwin's legal firm, and their relationship is formal but strained due to Basil's secret affair with Margaret. ## In the story ### [Letter of Dedication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/letter-of-dedication) The novel's protagonist, whose story is the subject of this dedication. ### [Basil Part I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/basil) The narrator, who begins his story and recounts his marriage and betrayal. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-i-i) Narrator, beginning his story on his birthday, living in isolation in Cornwall, under threat from an enemy. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-i-ii) Narrator, second son, chooses the bar for literary pursuits, financially independent. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-i-iii) Narrator reflecting on his father's character and pride. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-i-iv) Narrator, reflecting on his brother and sister, showing deep emotion for Clara. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-i-v) Narrator, reflecting on his sister Clara and her influence on him. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-i-vi) Returns from the continent, engaged in writing a historical romance, and describes his daily habits of reading and writing. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-i-vii) Obsessed with Margaret, he returns to her house and neglects his sister Clara. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-i-viii) Struggles with his passion for Margaret, weighing it against his family's social standing. He ultimately resolves to pursue her, casting aside his earlier caution. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-i-ix) Determined to pursue Margaret despite her objections; writes to Mr. Sherwin and borrows a carriage to impress him. ### [The Proposal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-i-x) Proposes to Margaret, advocating for a secret marriage to circumvent his father's disapproval. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-i-xi) Agrees to Mr. Sherwin's proposal for a secret marriage, feeling the burden of deceit. He avoids his sister Clara and leaves London for two days to endure his suspense before returning to see Margaret. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-i-xii) Marries Margaret, feels the weight of his secret, and experiences a range of emotions from excitement to guilt. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-ii-i) The narrator, reflecting on his year of probation and his blindness to warning signs. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-ii-ii) Curious about Mannion's past, he questions Mr. Sherwin and decides to investigate the clerk's mystery. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-ii-iii) Observes Mannion's home and character, feels curiosity and unease, resolves to judge by present conduct. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-ii-iv) Narrator; observes Margaret's faults but remains devoted; reluctantly enlists Mannion's help. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-ii-v) Struggles with the concealment of his marriage, feeling the weight of secrecy and the strain it places on his family relationships. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-ii-vi) 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. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-ii-vii) Overwhelmed by love and anticipation, then consumed by jealousy and rage upon discovering Margaret's betrayal. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-iii-i) Narrator, reliving his past with feverish intensity, consumed by hatred and grief. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-iii-ii) Recovering from illness, tormented by memories, and driven to discover Mannion's fate. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-iii-iii) Confesses his secret marriage to his father, enduring his wrath and disownment. He is overwhelmed by shame and despair. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-iii-iv) Visits Mrs. Sherwin and receives her deathbed testimony; later discovers the letter from Mannion. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-iii-v) 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. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-iii-vi) Receives Ralph's report; is determined to sacrifice his own income to protect his family from disgrace. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-iii-vii) Overcomes his personal anguish to attend Margaret's deathbed, seeking to soothe her last moments. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-iii-viii) Grieving at Margaret's grave, confronted by Mannion, resolves to leave London for Cornwall. ### [Journal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-iii-journal) Narrates his journal from Cornwall, reflecting on his past and recording his declining health and isolation. ### [Letter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-iii-letter-iii) Writes to Mr. Bernard, agreeing to publish his autobiography and describing his current peaceful life with Clara. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters/basil - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters