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Two Boys named basil - Literature Notes
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Mark McWatt, author of 'Two Boys Named Basil', is a Guyanese writer and former professor of English at University of the West Indies. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_McWatt |
SUMMARY
Basil Raatgever and Basil Ross were similar; they were born the same month to mixed race Guyanese parents, so they were the same hue of brown, and they were both just 'ok' students. Raatgever was restless and easily distracted while Ross simply found school burdensome and unworthy of his sustained attention. This attitude shifted, however, when the boys met in scholarship class. They competed with each other. At the end of the first term, Basil Ross was first in class with Basil Raatgever in second place, with only four marks less. They continued like this in the second term , with a two mark difference, then Raatgever came out on (www.bulbsoup.com) top in the final term with a one mark difference. Their teacher thought that they were two halves of a single personality, feeding off each other and challenging each other to achieve more. The result is that the boys won scholarships, with Raatgever making history by scoring the highest mark ever achieved in the scholarship examination, a mark that was, notably, only two marks higher than Ross'. The decision was made to send them to the same school, on the advice of their teacher, because their success seemed to be dependent on their strong friendship. This trend continued in high school, where the boys took turns placing first and second. The two Basils were successful in sports as well. Due to the difference in their physique, however, they excelled in different aspects of the same sport, for example, Raatgever was a great batsman while Ross Ross was a better fast bowler in cricket.
The trouble between the two Basils began in fourth form. Raatgever's voice deepened and Ross' voice didn't, leading to the nicknames Ratty and Mouse. The real trouble began, however, when Ross became an alter boy and started being mean to Raatgever. They began playing pranks on each other, with each boy cultivating his own circle of friends who were, inevitably, at war with each other. This war affected their grades adversely because they began purposefully making mistakes to separate their grades, but ironically ending up with identical overall marks. This war was further fueled by Alison Crousou, who Raatgever wanted, then Ross (www.bulbsoup.com) got interested in her based on Raatgever's interest. Their war was disruptive to the class, so their peers started calling them 'Batty and Raas'. They were eventually counselled by the Jesuit Master, who made them see that they felt trapped by each other. He promised to help them to devise strategies that helped them to either survive each other or extricate themselves from each other. Their relationship began to improve in sixth form, despite the fact that the disparities between them grew; Raatgever was outgoing and could dance, while Ross was more introverted and could not dance well. The sixth form class went on a trip to Bartica, where Ross discovered that Raat was in a relationship with Alison. Ross made peace with his feelings of jealousy with a solitary walk along the river and, that night, listened to his friend talk about his day while noting that Raat did not ask about his day. The group then went to Baracara Falls the following day.
The two Basils climbed the falls together and disappeared into the bushes. The group was not alarmed by this, or the fact that the walk was very long because it was accepted that these two extraordinary boys, at times, would leave to explore their own joint agenda. The alarm was raised, however, when Ross returned without Raatgever. They waited for as long as they could for his return, but had to leave when the bus driver walked to the falls to get them. Ross refused to leave the falls, so father De Montfort stayed with him. It is there that Ross shared a strange tale with him. He told the priest that he was arguing with Raat about (www.bulbsoup.com) Alison Crousou and the other jealousies that he harbored, with Raat making matters worse by stating that they were doppelgangers who would never be rid of each other. Ross got angry and told him that he wished Raat would disappear. Raat said all right and he simply did not hear him again. It was when the walk got quiet, and Ross turned around to check on Raat, that he realized that he was not there. Ross concluded that he made Raat disappear and was heart broken. It was later discoverd that Raat had won a scholarship to attend university, which went to Ross because he was second place.
Basil Ross attended university in England where he studied law. He returned to Guyana where he did great things in his profession, but took no credit for any of it. This was because he (www.bulbsoup.com) wanted to disappear. He became a taciturn , solitary individual. In 1969, Ross saw a smiling Raat in a (www.bulbsoup.com) picture of Baracara Falls. Ross enlarged the picture and took it as a sign that he could be free of the guilt and sorrow of losing his best friend. Basil Ross was a changed man after this, he was more approachable and relaxed. He even asked his secretary out on a date and, on that night, he danced like Basil Raatgever.
Basil Raatgever and Basil Ross were similar; they were born the same month to mixed race Guyanese parents, so they were the same hue of brown, and they were both just 'ok' students. Raatgever was restless and easily distracted while Ross simply found school burdensome and unworthy of his sustained attention. This attitude shifted, however, when the boys met in scholarship class. They competed with each other. At the end of the first term, Basil Ross was first in class with Basil Raatgever in second place, with only four marks less. They continued like this in the second term , with a two mark difference, then Raatgever came out on (www.bulbsoup.com) top in the final term with a one mark difference. Their teacher thought that they were two halves of a single personality, feeding off each other and challenging each other to achieve more. The result is that the boys won scholarships, with Raatgever making history by scoring the highest mark ever achieved in the scholarship examination, a mark that was, notably, only two marks higher than Ross'. The decision was made to send them to the same school, on the advice of their teacher, because their success seemed to be dependent on their strong friendship. This trend continued in high school, where the boys took turns placing first and second. The two Basils were successful in sports as well. Due to the difference in their physique, however, they excelled in different aspects of the same sport, for example, Raatgever was a great batsman while Ross Ross was a better fast bowler in cricket.
The trouble between the two Basils began in fourth form. Raatgever's voice deepened and Ross' voice didn't, leading to the nicknames Ratty and Mouse. The real trouble began, however, when Ross became an alter boy and started being mean to Raatgever. They began playing pranks on each other, with each boy cultivating his own circle of friends who were, inevitably, at war with each other. This war affected their grades adversely because they began purposefully making mistakes to separate their grades, but ironically ending up with identical overall marks. This war was further fueled by Alison Crousou, who Raatgever wanted, then Ross (www.bulbsoup.com) got interested in her based on Raatgever's interest. Their war was disruptive to the class, so their peers started calling them 'Batty and Raas'. They were eventually counselled by the Jesuit Master, who made them see that they felt trapped by each other. He promised to help them to devise strategies that helped them to either survive each other or extricate themselves from each other. Their relationship began to improve in sixth form, despite the fact that the disparities between them grew; Raatgever was outgoing and could dance, while Ross was more introverted and could not dance well. The sixth form class went on a trip to Bartica, where Ross discovered that Raat was in a relationship with Alison. Ross made peace with his feelings of jealousy with a solitary walk along the river and, that night, listened to his friend talk about his day while noting that Raat did not ask about his day. The group then went to Baracara Falls the following day.
The two Basils climbed the falls together and disappeared into the bushes. The group was not alarmed by this, or the fact that the walk was very long because it was accepted that these two extraordinary boys, at times, would leave to explore their own joint agenda. The alarm was raised, however, when Ross returned without Raatgever. They waited for as long as they could for his return, but had to leave when the bus driver walked to the falls to get them. Ross refused to leave the falls, so father De Montfort stayed with him. It is there that Ross shared a strange tale with him. He told the priest that he was arguing with Raat about (www.bulbsoup.com) Alison Crousou and the other jealousies that he harbored, with Raat making matters worse by stating that they were doppelgangers who would never be rid of each other. Ross got angry and told him that he wished Raat would disappear. Raat said all right and he simply did not hear him again. It was when the walk got quiet, and Ross turned around to check on Raat, that he realized that he was not there. Ross concluded that he made Raat disappear and was heart broken. It was later discoverd that Raat had won a scholarship to attend university, which went to Ross because he was second place.
Basil Ross attended university in England where he studied law. He returned to Guyana where he did great things in his profession, but took no credit for any of it. This was because he (www.bulbsoup.com) wanted to disappear. He became a taciturn , solitary individual. In 1969, Ross saw a smiling Raat in a (www.bulbsoup.com) picture of Baracara Falls. Ross enlarged the picture and took it as a sign that he could be free of the guilt and sorrow of losing his best friend. Basil Ross was a changed man after this, he was more approachable and relaxed. He even asked his secretary out on a date and, on that night, he danced like Basil Raatgever.
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SETTING
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CONFLICT
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CHARACTERS
Basil Ross
Basil Raatgever
Minor Characters
Alison Cossou - the love interest of the two Basils.
Father De Montfort - he supported Basil Ross when Basil Raatgever went missing.
Basil Ross
- Basil Ross was born three days before Basil Raatgever.
- He was short, with a muscular build.
- His voice remained high during and after puberty, so he was given the nickname 'Mouse'.
- He possessed great powers of concentration and could occupy himself enthusiastically and obsessively with a number of hobbies, but found school to be a burdensome chore to be rushed through, carelessly, in order to get back to his more desirable pursuits.
- He competed tirelessly with Basil Raatgever, but he always placed second when it really mattered.
- He was a Catholic, and the the first to notice and pursue Alison Crousou.
- He was intensely jealous of Basil Raatgever's ability to draw attention to himself with his easy nature and dancing skills.
- Basil Ross is intense and introspective, as seen when he ponders his life choices on the wall, in Bartica.
- His intensity is further demonstrated when he dedicates himself to a half life, out of guilt regarding the disappearance of his friend, Basil Raatgever.
Basil Raatgever
- Basil Raatgever was born three days after Basil Ross.
- He was tall for his age, with a thin build.
- His voice broke, dramatically, during and after puberty, so he had a deep voice when compared to Basil Ross' voice.
- He was given the nickname 'Ratty'.
- He was restless and easily distracted, though he seemed to have the ability to do fairly well.
- His interest in Alison Crousou was, initially, aroused only because Basil Ross was interested in her first.
- If the story surrounding Basil Raatgever's disappearance is to be believed, then he is codependent on Basil Ross. He does not seem to exist outside of the competition that defines their relationship.
Minor Characters
Alison Cossou - the love interest of the two Basils.
Father De Montfort - he supported Basil Ross when Basil Raatgever went missing.
THEMATIC TABLE
THEMES
Friendship
The two Basils have a codependent friendship. The codependent element exists because, as Basil Raatgever claims, he is Basil Ross' doppelganger. The word doppelganger is a German word that literally means double walker. So the doppelganger is like a ghost or a shadow of the original person. The result of this is that what one person does, Basil Ross, the doppelganger, Basil Raatgever, will copy. This codependent relationship was, initially, healthy because it forced the boys to excel. They had (www.bulbsoup.com) a healthy competition that ensured their scholastic success. The teen years, however, brought friction and introduced toxicity. As one of the Jesuit masters observed "the problem for each was his sense of entrapment - the sense that each was denied the privilege of autonomy, that they did not seem to have the freedom to be separate and authentic persons, but must always in some way, feed on each other in order to survive and to achieve ... their bitterness towards each other was a natural reaction as they grew towards the self assertion of adulthood." (McWatt, 42). Therefore, the friendship between the two Basils was a complex one that was at first healthy, but became toxic.
Change
Change is an important catalyst in the life of Basil Ross, the protagonist. The first catalyst for change was meeting Basil Raatgever. This meeting, which ensured their journey through adolescence together, was one filled with scholastic excellence and growth. The second catalyst for change is the onset of puberty. Both boys, at that stage, yearned for identities outside of each other. This stage was characterized by toxic competition for grades and Alison Cossou. The third catalyst for change was the (www.bulbsoup.com) disappearance of Basil Raatgever, he moved from introverted to reclusive, only leaving his home only to go to work. It was like he was punishing himself for his friend's disappearance. The fourth and final catalyst for change was the picture of Basil Raatgever in the falls. This discovery gave Basil Ross his freedom from guilt, he could finally live because Basil Ratgever was happy wherever he was. This freedom was seen in how he danced, like Raatgever, at the end of the story.
Friendship
The two Basils have a codependent friendship. The codependent element exists because, as Basil Raatgever claims, he is Basil Ross' doppelganger. The word doppelganger is a German word that literally means double walker. So the doppelganger is like a ghost or a shadow of the original person. The result of this is that what one person does, Basil Ross, the doppelganger, Basil Raatgever, will copy. This codependent relationship was, initially, healthy because it forced the boys to excel. They had (www.bulbsoup.com) a healthy competition that ensured their scholastic success. The teen years, however, brought friction and introduced toxicity. As one of the Jesuit masters observed "the problem for each was his sense of entrapment - the sense that each was denied the privilege of autonomy, that they did not seem to have the freedom to be separate and authentic persons, but must always in some way, feed on each other in order to survive and to achieve ... their bitterness towards each other was a natural reaction as they grew towards the self assertion of adulthood." (McWatt, 42). Therefore, the friendship between the two Basils was a complex one that was at first healthy, but became toxic.
Change
Change is an important catalyst in the life of Basil Ross, the protagonist. The first catalyst for change was meeting Basil Raatgever. This meeting, which ensured their journey through adolescence together, was one filled with scholastic excellence and growth. The second catalyst for change is the onset of puberty. Both boys, at that stage, yearned for identities outside of each other. This stage was characterized by toxic competition for grades and Alison Cossou. The third catalyst for change was the (www.bulbsoup.com) disappearance of Basil Raatgever, he moved from introverted to reclusive, only leaving his home only to go to work. It was like he was punishing himself for his friend's disappearance. The fourth and final catalyst for change was the picture of Basil Raatgever in the falls. This discovery gave Basil Ross his freedom from guilt, he could finally live because Basil Ratgever was happy wherever he was. This freedom was seen in how he danced, like Raatgever, at the end of the story.
TECHNIQUES
Irony
It is ironic that Basil Ross had such a visceral response to Basil Raatgever's disappearance. It is ironic because Basil Ross wanted Basil Raatgever out of his life, as seen in the argument that Ross (www.bulbsoup.com) initiated with Raatgever where he explained that he was fed up with his friend, he even demanded that Raatgever disappear "I wish you'd disappear for good," (McWatt, 48). This action implies that he would be happy that Raatgever went missing, but the opposite happened, he was devastated at the disappearance of his friend.
Symbolism
The picture of Basil Raatgever is a symbol of redemption. Basil Ross had blamed himself for Basil Raatgever's disappearance, so he led a self imposed solitary life after leaving university. Upon (www.bulbsoup.com) seeing Raatgever's face in a picture, behind the waterfall, he is relieved. To Ross, this meant that Raatgever was happy wherever he was, and if he was happy, then Ross could also be happy.
It is ironic that Basil Ross had such a visceral response to Basil Raatgever's disappearance. It is ironic because Basil Ross wanted Basil Raatgever out of his life, as seen in the argument that Ross (www.bulbsoup.com) initiated with Raatgever where he explained that he was fed up with his friend, he even demanded that Raatgever disappear "I wish you'd disappear for good," (McWatt, 48). This action implies that he would be happy that Raatgever went missing, but the opposite happened, he was devastated at the disappearance of his friend.
Symbolism
The picture of Basil Raatgever is a symbol of redemption. Basil Ross had blamed himself for Basil Raatgever's disappearance, so he led a self imposed solitary life after leaving university. Upon (www.bulbsoup.com) seeing Raatgever's face in a picture, behind the waterfall, he is relieved. To Ross, this meant that Raatgever was happy wherever he was, and if he was happy, then Ross could also be happy.
QUESTIONS
1. How were the two Basils similar?
2. What was said about the two Basil's scholatic abilities.
3. Over three terms, how did the two Basil's perform scholastically? What contributed to these results?
4. What was the teacher's opinion of the two Basil's grades and competitive spirit?
5. What were the two Basil's scholarship scores?
6. What crisis occurred and how was it resolved?
7. How did the two Basil's progress in high school, scholastically?
8. How were the two Basil's physically different?
9. What was the first nickname that the two Basil's were given at school?
10. When did the conflict between the two Basil's begin?
11. Why were the two Basil's later called Ratty and Mouse?
12. How did religion play a part in dividing the two Basils?
13. How did the two Basil's 'separation' affect their grades?
14. How did Alison Cossou affect the two Basil's relationship?
15. How did the two Basil's classmates feel about this new toxicity that defined their relationship? What was their new nickname as a result?
16. How did the Jesuit master help the two Basils to navigate their relationship?
17. What was the major difference between the two Basils?
18. Where did the class go on the school trip?
19. Why was no-one perturbed when the two Basil's stayed away from the group for a lengthy period?
20. What happened, between the two Basils, after they climbed the falls?
21. How many days did they search for Basil Raatgever?
22. What were some of the speculations that surrounded Basil Raatgever's disappearance?
23. What did the priest advise Basil Ross NOT to do?
24. How did Basil Raatgever's disappearance help Basil Ross scholastically?
24. Why did Basil Ross accept interviews?
25. How did Basil Ross change, after Basil Raatgever's disappearance?
26. What pivotal thing happened in 1996?
27. How did Basil Ross change? Why did he change?
28. What astonishing thing did Basil Ross do at the end of the story?
2. What was said about the two Basil's scholatic abilities.
3. Over three terms, how did the two Basil's perform scholastically? What contributed to these results?
4. What was the teacher's opinion of the two Basil's grades and competitive spirit?
5. What were the two Basil's scholarship scores?
6. What crisis occurred and how was it resolved?
7. How did the two Basil's progress in high school, scholastically?
8. How were the two Basil's physically different?
9. What was the first nickname that the two Basil's were given at school?
10. When did the conflict between the two Basil's begin?
11. Why were the two Basil's later called Ratty and Mouse?
12. How did religion play a part in dividing the two Basils?
13. How did the two Basil's 'separation' affect their grades?
14. How did Alison Cossou affect the two Basil's relationship?
15. How did the two Basil's classmates feel about this new toxicity that defined their relationship? What was their new nickname as a result?
16. How did the Jesuit master help the two Basils to navigate their relationship?
17. What was the major difference between the two Basils?
18. Where did the class go on the school trip?
19. Why was no-one perturbed when the two Basil's stayed away from the group for a lengthy period?
20. What happened, between the two Basils, after they climbed the falls?
21. How many days did they search for Basil Raatgever?
22. What were some of the speculations that surrounded Basil Raatgever's disappearance?
23. What did the priest advise Basil Ross NOT to do?
24. How did Basil Raatgever's disappearance help Basil Ross scholastically?
24. Why did Basil Ross accept interviews?
25. How did Basil Ross change, after Basil Raatgever's disappearance?
26. What pivotal thing happened in 1996?
27. How did Basil Ross change? Why did he change?
28. What astonishing thing did Basil Ross do at the end of the story?
Contributor: Leisa Samuels-Thomas
McWatt, M. 'The Two Boys Named Basil' in A World of Prose, edited by David Williams and Hazel Simmons-McDonald. (Harlow, Essex) Pearson Education, 2005.
McWatt, M. 'The Two Boys Named Basil' in A World of Prose, edited by David Williams and Hazel Simmons-McDonald. (Harlow, Essex) Pearson Education, 2005.
