World’s End · Character

Sternhold Baskette

A self-made patriarch whose colossal vanity and late marriage set in motion forces that will strip him of everything he built.

supporting

Also known as Sternhold, Baskette, old Sternhold, Poor old Sternhold, Mrs. Sternhold Baskette, Mrs. Sternhold

First appearance: book i facts

As a supporting figure in World’s End, Sternhold Baskette is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Ancestor of the Baskette family, the original basket-maker who became chieftain of the early settlers on the marsh islands.

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In I: Ancestor of the Baskette family, the original basket-maker who became chieftain of the early settlers on the marsh islands. Later, in III: Inherits his father's genius, brings the railway to Stirmingham, buys up…

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Character Web

14 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Core family members
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak of Lady Lechester’s…

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In the story

Sternhold Baskette appears across 17 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I
Ancestor of the Baskette family, the original basket-maker who became chieftain of the early settlers on the marsh islands.
III
Inherits his father's genius, brings the railway to Stirmingham, buys up land and the Swamp, and undertakes a massive building project that stalls during a financial crisis.
IV
The central figure of the chapter, a miserly capitalist who owns vast property in Stirmingham but lives frugally and struggles to complete his developments.
The Hero of Stirmingham
The 'Hero of Stirmingham'; his vanity and madness grow as he buys land secretly and is exploited by railway speculators; he is later besieged by American claimants.
VI
Sternhold, now 72, grapples with his loneliness and the question of his heir. He is courted by the Corporation and others, and ultimately decides to marry a woman from a theatre to found a dynasty.
VII
The elderly, wealthy husband who becomes mad with jealousy and pride, eventually turning against Lucia and their son.
VIII
Target of Aurelian's scheme; his jealousy and behavior are used as evidence of insanity.
IX
Suffers a paralytic stroke upon learning of Lucia's performances, travels to Paris and Vienna in a maddened state, attempts to shoot Lucia, later dies after writing a will and documents.
Chapter X
Referenced as the father whose life illustrated 'poor humanity'; his ambition and monomania are echoed in his son John.
The Tangled Web of Inheritance
Son of Romy Baskette, who inherited wealth from mineral discoveries and attempted to purchase the Wick Farm, later becoming deeply indebted to building societies.
XII
Mentioned as having been driven frantic by early claimants a generation ago.
XIII
Marese's father, mentioned as having been mad; his mental weakness may be inherited.
Book II: Persons
Introduced as a key figure in the property disputes, his rise in fortune is central to the plot.
XI
His incomplete houses are leased by the building society, leading to the legal dispute.
Chapter XV
Referenced in a parody as John Brown; his soul is said to march on.
Book III: Results
Sternhold's attempted murder and descent into madness are key results of earlier actions.
The Approaching Nuptials
Recalled as the old miser who never built a palace, in contrast to his son's grandiose plans.

Chapter companion notes

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