Evelyn Waugh, the author of Brideshead Revisited, remains one of the most compelling literary figures of the 20th century. His satirical and, at times, deeply personal novels captured the nuances of British society with a sharp wit and a keen observation of the human condition. While Waugh’s earlier works often delved into the absurdities of the English upper class, it is Brideshead Revisited—published in 1945—that stands as perhaps his most profound exploration of faith, friendship, and societal change.
The Genesis of Brideshead Revisited
Waugh was already an accomplished author by the time he wrote Brideshead Revisited. His early novels, such as Decline and Fall and Vile Bodies, had established him as a master of satire. However, the tone of Brideshead Revisited was a departure from the comedic style that had made him famous. Written during and after World War II, the novel took on a more reflective and serious tone, perhaps as a result of Waugh’s own experiences during the war.
At its heart, Brideshead Revisited is a novel about relationships—between friends, family members, and, most importantly, between individuals and their faith. The novel’s subtitle, The Sacred and Profane Memories of Captain Charles Ryder, hints at the dualities that run through the narrative. It follows the life of Charles Ryder, the narrator, and his interactions with the aristocratic Flyte family, a Catholic family with a complicated relationship to their faith.
The novel’s title, Brideshead Revisited, refers to Brideshead Castle, the ancestral home of the Flyte family. This grand estate becomes a central symbol in the novel, representing both the physical and spiritual legacy of the family. Through Ryder’s eyes, the reader is drawn into a world of privilege and decadence, but also one that is touched by the omnipresence of divine grace.
The Influence of Faith
Waugh’s own religious beliefs significantly shaped the themes of Brideshead Revisited. Raised in a Protestant household, Waugh converted to Roman Catholicism in 1930, an event that profoundly influenced both his personal life and his writing. Brideshead Revisited is often seen as an exploration of Waugh’s Catholic faith, particularly the concept of divine grace and its role in the lives of flawed individuals.
The Flyte family, who are at the center of the novel, are Roman Catholic, and their faith—or lack thereof—plays a critical role in shaping the story’s progression. Each member of the family struggles with their relationship to the Church in different ways. Lord Marchmain, the family patriarch, lives in exile in Italy with his mistress, having abandoned his Catholic duties. Sebastian, the charming yet troubled youngest son, is caught in a spiral of self-destruction, partly fueled by his inability to reconcile his Catholic upbringing with his desires and addictions. Julia, the eldest daughter, initially turns away from her faith but eventually re-embraces it, leading to the dissolution of her relationship with Charles.
Waugh’s portrayal of the Flyte family’s spiritual journey is nuanced. Rather than presenting a didactic narrative, he explores the complexities of faith, sin, and redemption. Charles, an outsider to the Flyte family’s Catholic world, is both fascinated and confused by their devotion. Through his eyes, the reader is introduced to the idea that faith is not a straightforward path, but one filled with contradictions, doubts, and, ultimately, grace.
Friendship and Loss: Charles Ryder and Sebastian Flyte
One of the most memorable aspects of Brideshead Revisited is the friendship between Charles Ryder and Sebastian Flyte. When they meet at Oxford University in the 1920s, Charles is an earnest, somewhat conventional student, while Sebastian is an aesthete with a flair for the extravagant. Their friendship is intense and deeply emotional, drawing Charles into a world of decadence and artistic expression that he had never known before.
Sebastian introduces Charles to the Flyte family and to Brideshead Castle, and it is through Sebastian that Charles begins to question the rigid structure of his own life. However, as the novel progresses, the bond between Charles and Sebastian begins to fray. Sebastian’s struggle with alcoholism and his increasing disillusionment with his family and faith lead him down a path of self-destruction. For Charles, this marks the beginning of a long journey of reflection on the nature of his own relationships and ambitions.
Waugh uses the friendship between Charles and Sebastian to explore themes of identity and personal growth. Sebastian, with his unquenchable thirst for escape, represents a kind of tragic idealism, one that cannot withstand the harsh realities of life. Charles, meanwhile, undergoes a transformation as he witnesses the unraveling of Sebastian’s life. His initial infatuation with the Flyte family’s glamorous world is replaced by a more sobering understanding of the complexities and burdens that come with wealth, faith, and family ties.
Artistic Ambitions and the Search for Meaning
In addition to exploring faith and friendship, Brideshead Revisited also delves into Charles Ryder’s journey as an artist. Throughout the novel, Charles grapples with his desire to break free from societal expectations and pursue his artistic ambitions. His friendship with Sebastian and his immersion into the Flyte family’s world provide him with the freedom to explore his creativity. However, as his relationships with the Flytes become more complicated, so too does his sense of artistic purpose.
Waugh’s own experiences as a writer are reflected in Charles’s artistic struggles. Known for his biting satires, Waugh’s turn to a more serious, introspective style in Brideshead Revisited mirrors Charles’s evolving understanding of art. For Charles, art becomes a means of expressing the deeper truths he has uncovered about life, love, and faith. However, this pursuit of meaning through art is also fraught with difficulties, as Charles must navigate the tension between his personal desires and the external forces shaping his life.
A Turning Point in Waugh’s Career
Brideshead Revisited marked a turning point in Waugh’s literary career. Prior to the novel, he had been celebrated for his satirical take on the absurdities of British society. With Brideshead Revisited, however, Waugh moved away from satire and toward a more philosophical exploration of the human condition. This shift was met with mixed reactions. Some critics lauded the novel’s depth and seriousness, while others felt that Waugh had abandoned the sharp wit that had defined his earlier work.
Nonetheless, Brideshead Revisited quickly became a bestseller and has since become one of Waugh’s most famous works. Its adaptation into a highly successful television miniseries in 1981, starring Jeremy Irons and Anthony Andrews, further cemented the novel’s place in popular culture. The miniseries captured the novel’s themes of friendship, loss, and faith, bringing Waugh’s characters to life for a new generation of viewers.
Conclusion
Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited is a timeless exploration of faith, friendship, and societal change. Through the story of Charles Ryder and the Flyte family, Waugh delves into the complexities of religious devotion and personal identity, offering readers a richly layered narrative that continues to resonate. Whether viewed as a reflection of Waugh’s own Catholic beliefs or as a broader commentary on the human experience, Brideshead Revisited remains a landmark in 20th-century literature, a testament to Waugh’s enduring legacy as one of Britain’s most important authors.
