The Unbearable Bassington

The Unbearable Bassington is a work of British and Irish fiction that examines the life of Comus Bassington. As an upper class young man living in London, Comus maintains a cynical outlook on the world around him. This piece of fiction highlights the tension between his privileged status and his stubborn refusal to conform to social expectations.

The narrative focuses on the efforts of Comus's mother to secure his future. She attempts to arrange a stable career as a secretary or a strategic marriage, but these plans fail due to the selfishness of the protagonist. The Unbearable Bassington explores the friction caused by a man who is unwilling to be guided by others, providing a sharp look at early twentieth century social dynamics.