Reading 1001 discussion

5. Why is Anthony Blanche in this book?

I would say to add some colour he was an entertaining character larger than life and a connection between Charles and Brideshead in the years when they are estranged.

He is a type of aristocratic snob. He makes an interesting reference to Sebastian. He would like to stick Sebastian like a pin cushion. This could be a reference to St. Sebastian, a Catholic martyr who is traditionally pictured as having been tied to a post and executed by arrows.

Jerry-Book wrote: "He is a type of aristocratic snob. He makes an interesting reference to Sebastian. He would like to stick Sebastian like a pin cushion. This could be a reference to St. Sebastian, a Catholic martyr..."

Nice catch, I missed that reference.

I thought Blanche was a device by which Waugh could update Charles on the happenings of the family which Charles otherwise wouldn't have been able to know.