Basil

"Basil" by Wilkie Collins is a story set in the 1800s that considers the problems of human relationships tangled within society’s rules. The main character, who is writing his life story, reflects on his family and past, suggesting that he has made a mistake with big consequences, setting up the story to examine love, social class, and the results of choices. The novel dives into the main character’s year of change, including when he first meets Margaret Sherwin, a young woman who awakens strong feelings of love that challenge his duty to his family and what society expects of him. This sets the stage for an exploration of morals and the pressures of society.