Basement Room Analysis

“The Basement Room”: Graham Greene’s Perspective Like many other things in our world, society is comprised of two different aspects: free will and constraints. As Americans, we experience the former daily and seem to take it for granted. We simply live and maintain our daily routines monotonously, completely oblivious to the fact that we are exercising our rights of freedom, doing whatever pleases us. However, if one uses his or her free will corruptly, they will come to experience the latter aspect of society – constraints, or punishments. Laws are the foundation of all constraints in society. They aid us in maintaining order when people, or groups of people, seem to foray into the world of questionable decision-making. For example, if somebody feels the need to rob a bank or murder another human being, laws are there to reprimand that one sour apple in society and protect the freedom of everyone else collectively. What I have said above pertains only to the real world and everyday situations. What if someone were to create their own world? Imagination is a very powerful thing and should be used with caution. Graham Greene reflects on this very question in his short story “The Basement Room.” Using the character Philip, a young lad who’s being left at an estate while his parents are away, Greene effectively depicts a surreal world through the boy’s eyes. The estate represents an entire new realm of possibilities for Phil. Greene also utilizes Mr. Baines and Mrs. Baines to represent the free will and constraints of this new and foreign society. Philip immediately feels a new sensation as soon as he sets foot into this new, foreign world. Simply put, he feels “alive.” Philip anticipates exploring the large Belgravia house, with all of its empty rooms and corridors. Simultaneously, Philip hopes that he may learn something about the adult world. Philip is quite fond of Mr. Baines. He always seeks the butler out in the basement room. A green baize door separates