The Bostonians

Basil lives in “two small shabby rooms” (145) on a street with “a strong odour of smoked fish” (145). A year and a half after his visit with Olive, Basil, despite being “diligent” and “ambitious,” still “had not made his profession very lucrative” (146). He wonders whether people are prejudiced against him for being Southern, and he doubts his own abilities to succeed in New York.

Basil writes some articles, but publishers decline them because “his doctrines were about three hundred years behind the age” (148). Basil considers going into politics but regrets that the only way to go into politics is to be elected.

One night, Basil finds a note from Mrs. Luna, who “reproach[es] him with neglecting her” (150). Basil is irritated. After returning from Boston, he tutored her son Newton for a time, but Newton is “an insufferable child” (150), and Basil eventually quit.

Basil finds women to be “delicate, agreeable creatures, whom Providence had placed under the protection of the bearded sex” (151). They are “essentially inferior to men” (151) and “infinitely tiresome when they declined to accept the lot which men had made for them” (151). He believes they have “a standing

Unlock all 75 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,450+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App

+ Printable PDF

+ Literary AI Tools

Unlock Full Library