# Ralph — Basil character guide

> Ralph in Basil by Wilkie Collins.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mrs. Ralph

**First appearance:** 0002-part-i-i

## Snapshot

Basil's rakish brother, reformed by a mistress and armed with cigars, who returns from abroad to pull his disgraced sibling through the wreckage of a family scandal.

## Who they are

Ralph is the family's original scamp, a gambler and idler who has lately been saved from ruin by the woman he calls his morganatic wife. He arrives in London to find Basil has eclipsed his old reputation for disgrace, and he sets about defending his brother with the same reckless energy he once spent on dissipation. His easy cynicism and genuine loyalty make him the story's most surprising source of steadiness in the early crisis.

## Relationships

### [Basil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters/basil)

_friendship_

Basil and Ralph are close friends, with Ralph serving as Basil's confidant and moral support during his troubles.

### [Mr. Bernard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters/mr_bernard)

_friendship_

Mr. Bernard and Ralph share a friendly, collegial relationship, often discussing mutual interests and social matters.

### [Clara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters/clara)

_social_

Clara and Ralph are polite acquaintances, but Clara often uses Ralph to gather information about Basil's activities.

### [Mr. Turner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters/mr_turner)

_professional_

Mr. Turner is Ralph's employer or senior colleague, and their interactions are strictly businesslike and respectful.

### [Mr. Sherwin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters/mr_sherwin)

_professional_

Mr. Sherwin and Ralph interact as business associates, with Ralph often acting as a mediator between Basil and the Sherwin family.

### [Robert Mannion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters/robert_mannion)

_rivalry_

Ralph distrusts Mannion and actively works against him, viewing him as a dangerous influence on Basil and the Sherwins.

### [Mr. Turner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters/mr_turner)

_professional_

Mr. Turner is Ralph's employer or senior colleague, and their interactions are strictly businesslike and respectful.

### [Mr. Bernard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters/mr_bernard)

_friendship_

Mr. Bernard and Ralph share a friendly, collegial relationship, often discussing mutual interests and social matters.

### [Basil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters/basil)

_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_

Ralph distrusts Mannion and actively works against him, viewing him as a dangerous influence on Basil and the Sherwins.

### [Clara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters/clara)

_social_

Clara and Ralph are polite acquaintances, but Clara often uses Ralph to gather information about Basil's activities.

### [Clara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters/clara)

_social_

Clara and Ralph are polite acquaintances, but Clara often uses Ralph to gather information about Basil's activities.

## In the story

### [Basil Part I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/basil)

A person who offers to help Basil after the betrayal.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-i-ii)

Basil's elder brother, mentioned as part of the family.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-i-iv)

Basil's elder brother, described as reckless, dandyish, and eventually reformed by an older woman.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-i-v)

Basil's brother, mentioned as the subject of their father's concern and Clara's potential influence.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-i-vi)

Mentioned as Basil's father, who is engaged in parliamentary duties and sees little of his children.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-i-ix)

Mentioned as a friend who lends Basil a carriage.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-i-xii)

Mentioned by Clara as not living with them and caring little about her.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-iii-vi)

Visits Basil with news from the Sherwin household; offers to negotiate with them and dismisses Basil's plan for self-sacrifice.

### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-iii-vii)

Accompanies Basil to the hospital and later leaves for the country, showing concern for Basil's safety.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-iii-viii)

Urges Basil to leave London to end Clara's conflict between duty and sisterly affection.

### [Journal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-iii-journal)

Basil considers writing to him but hesitates, and Ralph appears in his dreams.

### [Letter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-iii-letter-iii)

Basil's brother, now head of the family, who has reformed his habits and offers Basil the opportunity to enter public life.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters/ralph
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters