# Dennis Burlap — Point Counter Point character guide > Dennis Burlap in Point Counter Point by Aldous Huxley. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Burlap, Denis, Denis Burlap **First appearance:** 0001-ii ## Snapshot The editor of the Literary World, whose unctuous talk of 'believing in Life' masks a bottomless, Tolstoy-modelled self-regard that makes honesty impossible in his presence. ## Who they are Burlap presides over the Literary World with a weekly gospel of 'believing in Life,' a phrase Walter finds both ubiquitous and meaningless, and he conducts interviews with Tolstoyan impertinence, asking candidates whether they believe in Life and whether they are virgins. Walter feels perpetually false in his company, sensing that Burlap's compliments are really addressed to Burlap's own mind. As Walter's employer and the gatekeeper of literary fashion, Burlap embodies the novel's satire of humbug in the publishing world. ## Relationships ### [Beatrice Gilray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/characters/beatrice_gilray) _professional_ Beatrice is Dennis's secretary and devoted admirer, whom he exploits emotionally while maintaining a professional facade. ### [Walter Bidlake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/characters/walter_bidlake) _friendship_ Dennis and Walter are literary acquaintances and rivals, sharing a superficial friendship marked by mutual envy and hypocrisy. ### [Mark Rampion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/characters/mark_rampion) _rivalry_ Dennis resents Mark's genuine vitality and artistic integrity, which expose his own pretentiousness and emotional dishonesty. ### [Ethel Cobbett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/characters/ethel_cobbett) _psychological_ Dennis marries the naive Ethel and then emotionally dominates and exploits her under the guise of spiritual companionship. ### [Mark Rampion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/characters/mark_rampion) _rivalry_ Dennis resents Mark's genuine vitality and artistic integrity, which expose his own pretentiousness and emotional dishonesty. ### [Beatrice Gilray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/characters/beatrice_gilray) _professional_ Beatrice is Dennis's secretary and devoted admirer, whom he exploits emotionally while maintaining a professional facade. ### [Walter Bidlake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/characters/walter_bidlake) _friendship_ Dennis and Walter are literary acquaintances and rivals, sharing a superficial friendship marked by mutual envy and hypocrisy. ### [Beatrice Gilray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/characters/beatrice_gilray) _professional_ Beatrice is Dennis's secretary and devoted admirer, whom he exploits emotionally while maintaining a professional facade. ### [Walter Bidlake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/characters/walter_bidlake) _friendship_ Dennis and Walter are literary acquaintances and rivals, sharing a superficial friendship marked by mutual envy and hypocrisy. ### [Mark Rampion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/characters/mark_rampion) _rivalry_ Dennis resents Mark's genuine vitality and artistic integrity, which expose his own pretentiousness and emotional dishonesty. ### [Ethel Cobbett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/characters/ethel_cobbett) _psychological_ Dennis marries the naive Ethel and then emotionally dominates and exploits her under the guise of spiritual companionship. ### [Ethel Cobbett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/characters/ethel_cobbett) _psychological_ Dennis marries the naive Ethel and then emotionally dominates and exploits her under the guise of spiritual companionship. ## In the story ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/chapters/v) Appears briefly in conversation with Mrs. Betterton, discussing John Bidlake's cynicism and art with an uplifting tone. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/chapters/vii) Seen drinking champagne and talking with the Comtesse d'Exergillod; later discusses Lucy with Molly. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/chapters/xiii) In a genial mood at the office, discusses Rimbaud's belief in Life with Walter; his past relationship with Susan is revealed as self-centered and emotionally manipulative. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/chapters/xvi) Writes a chapter on Franciscan poverty, negotiates payment for Rampion's drawings, and uses Rampion's phrases in his own work. ### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/chapters/xviii) Manipulates Beatrice's maternal solicitude and Miss Cobbett's loyalty; uses spirituality as a cover for carnality; feels victimized by the Romola Saville poetesses. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/chapters/xxv) Mentioned in passing as someone Walter might 'murder' to join Lucy in Spain. ### [From Philip Quarles's Notebook](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/chapters/xxvi) Mentioned as having written a squelchy emetic article on the intellectual's return to the obvious. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/chapters/xxxiv) Exploits Beatrice's sympathy with spiritual talk and physical closeness, stroking her hair and laying his head on her lap. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/chapters/xxxvii) Walks home pleased with himself after securing a lucrative serial rights deal and lecture series; successfully fires Ethel Cobbett. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/characters/dennis_burlap - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/point_counter_point_se/characters