Brideshead Revisited Friendship Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Book.Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

"We'll have a heavenly time alone," said Sebastian, and when next morning, while I was shaving, I saw from my bathroom window Julia, with luggage at her back, drive from the forecourt and disappear at the hill's crest, without a backward glance, I felt a sense of liberation and peace such as I was to know years-later when, after a night of unrest, the sirens sounded the All Clear. (1.3.144)

Charles and Sebastian’s friendship can only exist peacefully as long they are isolated from the rest of the world.

Quote #5

"I think you are very fond of Sebastian," she said.

"Why, certainly."

"I know of these romantic friendships of the English and the Germans. They are not Latin. I think they are very good if they do not go on too long." (1.4.101)

Cara essentially puts an expiration date on Charles and Sebastian’s friendship – and she’s right. In many ways, their relationship is a very childish one, and cannot possibly be expected to hold up to the trials of adulthood.

Quote #6

It was thus that Lady Marchmain found us when, early in that Michaelmas term, she came for a week to Oxford. She found Sebastian subdued, with all his host of friends reduced to one, myself. She accepted me as Sebastian's friend and sought to make me hers also, and in doing so, unwittingly struck at the roots of our friendship. That is the single reproach I have to set against her abundant kindness to me. (1.5.27)

Cara discusses how Lord Marchmain hated Lady Marchmain and so despised anyone close to her. The same goes for Sebastian, though his hate is less extreme and definitely hidden. He can’t be friends with Charles if Charles is friends with his mother.