I'm afraid I'm a bit behind schedule this week - I was going to read the second part this weekend but went camping instead.

Will catch up with you guys tonight or tomorrow!

Will look forward to reading your thoughts Advah!

I've really been enjoying this book, am looking forward to finding out how it all ends! but back to book two:

What factors contributed to Sebastian's descent in to alcoholism?
I think it is Sebastian's own responsibility ultimately, but i don't think his mother helped! when you're that rich i think sometimes it's difficult to find any kind of motivation or purpose, and so you look for ways to spend your time and escape from your situation. he's actually very much controlled by his family, in financial terms as well as psychologically, and i think maybe he wanted to rebel or get away from his mother's clutches. also, his father's past use of alcohol might make him a self-fulfilling prophecy in that he thinks he'll follow in his father's footsteps.

How has the power shifted between the characters, compared to the first section?
Sebastian still holds some power over Charles, like convincing him to give him money so he can buy alcohol when he slips away from the hunt, but i think that charles has now seen the ugly reality and doesn't view sebastian or the family with the same reverence and awe that he did to begin with, in the first section.
it's interesting to see the power relations between sebastian and kurt too - that's a fascinating relationship.

We learn more about the role of Catholicism in the Flytes' lives in this second part: has your view on the role that religion plays in the novel changed in light of this?
Charles writes about how julia found her religion a barrier, particularly when it came to finding a husband, but it seems to me that she turns her back on her religion very suddenly, when the jesuit tells her she must not be with rex before they marry. it's almost like she's a spoilt child who can't get what she wants, but then it all becomes more complicated. it was funny when rex thought it would be simple to become a catholic, like he's just choosing a football team or something!

What are your thoughts on Julia's relationship with Rex Mottram?
Rex seemed to be in it for the money and the status. it also seems like a bit of a business deal, like who can bring what to the table, and there's a lot of games going on too. i find their relationship complex and intriguing, and am never quite sure who's in control. it's interesting to get the foundations laid for charles's future relationship with julia too.

What effect do you think Lady Marchmain's death will have?
she's been very much a controlling force, so i think her children might find themselves freer, but with that comes a responsibility to make your own decisions - they can't blame her any more for the lives, and that might be an issue. they also won't have her to rebel against. we also might see a change in sebastian's father now that his wife is no longer alive - might he return to england?

wow that was a long post!

will look forward to reporting back on the last section next week

Thanks for your comments spc, it certainly was a long post!

I'm really interested in what you say about Sebastian's alcoholism possibly being caused by his rich, idle existence. Parallels could be drawn with modern day celebrities perhaps, who have all that money and become addicted to substances.

I agree with you on Rex and how ridiculous he was thinking he could just convert to Catholicism with a snap of the fingers! I find him an enjoyably unlikable character, and it's unsurprising that he comes across badly, as Charles is the first-person narrator and clearly has a relationship with Julia later on.

I find Sebastian and Kurt's relationship fascinating too - like when Sebastian tells Charles: "it's rather a pleasant change when all your life you've had people looking after you, to have someone to look after yourself". This speaks volumes about Sebastian, and could provide some clue as to why he became an alcoholic. It could also give an indication of what impact Lady M's death will have, and what a controlling force she's been in her children's lives.

I'll look forward to reading your comments on the final section next week!

Sorry not to have posted yet - am on holiday in Nice (it's raining at the moment...)
At first I felt a bit bereft - no comfortable self-contained world of Oxford and Sebastisn's and Charles' friendship, but I guess that just shows how seductive that life was.
I loved Rex's complete misunderstanding of what it is to become Catholic!! and what Father Mowbray has to say about this!It gives us such a good view of Rex's values and the connections he obviously hopes to gain in entering Julia's world.
I think that at this stage of Julia's life she and Rex suit each other very well - not that love is the driving force though! Julia sees marriage as a way to get her independence and enter the grown-up world though she is rather scared by her physical response to their love-making. For Rex it's the reflected signifance of belonging to such an established family and the doors this will open for him personally and in business.
As for Sebastian, he has had so little experience of personal responsibility in his life - not being the oldest son and therefore not having expectations heaped on him - and having so little idea or experience of the world outside Brideshead or Oxford. I think his relationship with Kurt gives him a sense of usefulness but in an unhealthy way as there is no sense of Kurt's having any respect for Sebastian. Very sad.
I think I'd like to take a week on each question Pop as they have really made me think about the book more deeply, I want to write more and it feels like I'm still only skimming the surface! Great question and comments, thanks.
Will sign off now as must go have more to eat...yum!
Love your comments spc especially on the effects of Lady Marchmain's death.
Hope you had a good time camping Advah and can add a post soon, looking forward to hearing what you think.

Thanks for sharing supersocks!

I hadn't even thought about the fact that Sebastian isn't the eldest son - that's really interesting, and explains even more why he is pleased to feel a sense of responsibility about Kurt. I totally agree with you about how unhealthy their relationship is.

What you say about Julia viewing marriage as a way to gain independence is interesting too. Even when Julia tries to get married, she struggles to escape the control and power her mother has. It's like Lady M is the puppeteer right up until her death. Will she continue to exude control from beyond the grave?

Will look forward to reading your thoughts on the final part of the book!