Pyramids

11

On the subject of the Assassin’s Guild School, Terry has this to say: “Yes, the whole setup of the Assassin’s Guild school has, uh, a certain resonance with Rugby School in Tom Brown’s Schooldays (note to Americans: a minor Victorian classic of school literature which no-one reads anymore and which is probably now more famous for the first appearance of the Flashman character subsequently popularised by George MacDonald Fraser).”

Teppic and his friends map directly to corresponding characters in Tom Brown’s Schooldays: Teppic is Tom, Chidder is Harry “Scud” East, Arthur is George Arthur and Cheesewright is sort of Flashman, but not exactly.

The line on p. 27/26 about “‘If he invites you up for toast in his study, don’t go,’” may refer to the incident where Tom is roasted in front of the fire by Flashy and his cronies. The reference to blanket-tossing on p. 45/44, which Arthur puts a stop to, is also an incident in Tom Brown, on Tom’s first day. The scene in the dormitory on the first night, when Arthur gets down to say his prayers, also has an equivalent in the book.