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Basil · Character

Mr. Bernard

A physician and old family friend whose cool medical judgment and talk of monomania and infection give the novel's private disasters a clinical, almost forensic edge.

supporting

Also known as John Bernard, John, Mr. John Bernard, Bernard, Jack Bernard, Jack

First appearance: part i i

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Mr. Bernard moves between the drawing room and the hospital ward, advising Basil's family while warning that a certain patient is a dangerous monomaniac who will end in a prison or a madhouse. His theories of infection…

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See Mr. Bernard in part i i

Character Web

9 connections

A slice of how Mr. Bernard sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

MSMargaret SherwinRARalphBABasilMTMr. TurnerRMRobert MannionMBMr. Bernard

Relationship types

  • Social
  • Friendship
  • Other

Character groups

  • Central conflict circle
  • Protagonist
  • Minor and peripheral figures

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

The emotional/psychological peak occurs when the protagonist, after a deep swoon, briefly regains consciousnes…

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Relationships

Relationship notes

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See Mr. Bernard in part i i

In the story

Mr. Bernard appears across 4 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mr. Bernard unlock in the free preview.

See Mr. Bernard in part i i