Not because he was a decent block, mind you. He was an arse. But he was a shirt arse, like meself. {Napoleon}
In this excerpt, the narrator reflects on Napoleon, emphasizing that he was not a truly kind or good person. Instead, he was described as an "arse," indicating that he had a rude or unpleasant nature. The narrator seems to acknowledge Napoleon's flaws but also recognizes a shared trait of being somewhat prickly or difficult.
The phrase "shirt arse" suggests a kind of camaraderie or understanding between the narrator and Napoleon, implying that they were both somewhat abrasive or challenging in their own ways. Despite Napoleon's flaws, the narrator seems to relate to or accept his personality, highlighting a nuanced view of his character.
