# Mr. Bastin — When the World Shook character guide > Mr. Bastin in When the World Shook by H. Rider Haggard. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Bastin, Mrs. Bastin, the late Mrs. Bastin, old Bastin, Old Bastin, poor Bastin, the industrious Bastin, dear old Bastin, the Rev. Basil Bastin, Basil Bastin, Basil, old Basil **First appearance:** 0003-ii-bastin-and-bickley ## Snapshot A blunt, devout clergyman whose stubborn faith and comic clumsiness make him both a foil and a friend on the voyage to Orofena. ## Who they are Bastin is Arbuthnot's fellow clergyman, earnest, argumentative, and often unintentionally funny, forever sparring with the skeptical doctor Bickley. He throws himself into learning island languages and into awkward moral experiments, including a half-confessed infatuation with Lady Yva. His unshakable faith gives the expedition a spiritual counterweight to Bickley's rationalism, and his missteps keep the story human. ## In the story ### [When the World Shook](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/when-the-world-shook) A companion in the adventure, introduced as part of the trio. ### [II: Bastin and Bickley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/ii-bastin-and-bickley) Described as simple, good, and utterly literal in faith; he becomes vicar of Fulcombe and engages in theological debates with Bickley. ### [III: Natalie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/iii-natalie) Bastin's wife dies after a jealous outburst; he later canonizes her as a saintly devoted wife. ### [IV: Death and Departure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/iv-death-and-departure) Offers a conventional Christian interpretation of Natalie's death; later argues about a book critical of missionaries. ### [V: The Cyclone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/v-the-cyclone) Engages in religious arguments with Bickley, studies the South Sea Island language, and is present during the séances and planchette incident. ### [Land](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/vi-land) Attempts to convert the natives to Christianity; argues with Bickley about theology; survives the cyclone hanging from a towel. ### [VII: The Orofenans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/vii-the-orofenans) Retires during the idol ceremony, later begins missionary work, teaching and preaching, but causes tension with native priests. ### [VIII: Bastin Attempts the Martyr's Crown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/viii-bastin-attempts-the-martyr-s-crown) Plans and executes the burning of the idol of Oro, preaching to the natives afterward. ### [IX: The Island in the Lake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/ix-the-island-in-the-lake) Shows perfect faith and indifference to danger, focusing on breakfast and his converts; mildly interested in the cave but more concerned with practical needs. ### [X: The Dwellers in the Tomb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/x-the-dwellers-in-the-tomb) Carries the blackened head of Oro as a pillow, is more interested in the natives and tea than the archaeological discovery, and makes tea after their belongings are returned. ### [XI: Resurrection](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xi-resurrection) Argues with Bickley about theology; mutters about Yva's libation being a heathen offering; breaks the tension with a blunt remark about Arbuthnot and Yva. ### [XII: Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Years!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xii-two-hundred-and-fifty-thousand-years) Accepts Yva's explanation as reasonable, builds a hut and traps fish, and dismisses the sleepers as evil spirits. ### [XIII: Oro Speaks and Bastin Argues](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xiii-oro-speaks-and-bastin-argues) Argues with Oro about theology, comparing Oro's deluge to Noah's flood, and is horrified at the idea of being mistaken for a priest of Baal. ### [XIV: The Underworld](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xiv-the-underworld) Worries about Tommy; drinks the Life-water and begins singing a hymn; expresses discomfort during the descent. ### [XV: Oro in His House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xv-oro-in-his-house) Eagerly offers to teach Oro about Christianity, remains covered before the statue of Fate, and questions Yva about her god. ### [Visions of the Past](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xvi-visions-of-the-past) Compares the visions to a moving-picture show and a magic performance; asks to leave to cook food. ### [Yva Explains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xvii-yva-explains) Reluctantly goes to the sepulchre to attempt converting Oro, carrying a Bible in the South Sea Islands language. ### [XVIII: The Accident](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xviii-the-accident) Teaches Yva English and prays for Arbuthnot; returns dishevelled and without his native Bible. ### [XIX: The Proposals of Bastin and Bickley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xix-the-proposals-of-bastin-and-bickley) Confesses to Arbuthnot that he fell in love with Yva and proposed to her, but was refused. ### [XX: Oro and Arbuthnot Travel by Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xx-oro-and-arbuthnot-travel-by-night) Quoted by Arbuthnot regarding the existence of 'something behind Fate,' but does not appear directly in the chapter. ### [XXI: Love's Eternal Altar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxi-love-s-eternal-altar) Mentioned as having expounded a faith centered on sacrifice, which Yva references. ### [The Command](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxii-the-command) Congratulates Arbuthnot awkwardly; offers to perform a Christian wedding; comments on the beauty of the evening and Tommy's behavior. ### [XXIII: In the Temple of Fate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxiii-in-the-temple-of-fate) Bastin is present during the descent and audience with Oro, though his role is minimal in this chapter. ### [XXIV: The Chariot of the Pit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxiv-the-chariot-of-the-pit) Argues with Bickley; compares the blue flashes to tramway sparks; remains oblivious to the deeper tension. ### [XXV: Sacrifice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxv-sacrifice) Bravely confronts Oro, calling him devilish and warning of damnation. ### [XXVI: Tommy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxvi-tommy) Defends Yva's sacrifice and argues with Oro, comparing her death to Elijah's translation. ### [XXVII: Bastin Discovers a Resemblance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxvii-bastin-discovers-a-resemblance) Volunteers as a chaplain for the 201st Division, defends Yva's conversion, and argues for the spiritual value of his work over Bickley's medical role. ### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/epilogue) Inherits a third of Arbuthnot's estate; talks of the 'deceitfulness of riches' but considers missionary work. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/characters/bastin - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/characters