BERTRAM WILBERFORCE WOOSTER - POPULAR CHARACTERS FROM BOOKS - #BLOGCHATTERA2Z2022
PG Wodehouse has the power to leave his readers in splits as he describes the most ludicrous of situations in the most humorous manner. Bertram Wilberforce Wooster is the protagonist of the Jeeves stories, in which a blundering Bertie Wooster, a genial English gentleman and a dandy of sorts, tilts at windmills and gets into all kinds of comic situations. It is Jeeves, his dependable butler, who comes to his rescue and extricates him from sticky situations.
Wodehouse was obviously fond of his protagonist. Bertie is the narrator in ten novels and over thirty short stories. The young Bertie was supposed to be an orphan and not much is known about his parents. At school, he was either known as ‘Daredevil Bertie’ or ‘Bungling Wooster’, the latter being a more apt description of the young man.
Many mentions are made of Bertie having won the
Scriptures prize, a feat that he was quite proud of. However, on one occasion,
his friend, Gussie Fink-Nottle accuses him of having cheated to win the
award. A hurt Bertie refutes this charge, and Gussie is soon found to have made
baseless accusations about others as well, proving that he is a man who talks
through his hat.
Educated at Eton, and later Oxford, Bertie is a thoroughbred
gentleman, who has no illusions about his own intelligence. As he himself puts
it, “I know perfectly well that I’ve got, roughly speaking, half the amount of
brain a normal bloke ought to possess.”
Jeeves comes into Bertie’s life in the story ‘Jeeves
takes Charge’ and from then on, it is a given that Jeeves does take charge. He considers
Bertie a pleasant and amiable gentleman who enjoys lending his services to help
his friends out. That he does not succeed in doing so is the theme of many a
comic tale, and it is always Jeeves who comes to his rescue and sorts matters
out. Often, there is an eyesore of an accessory or piece of clothing which Bertie
adores, and Jeeves strongly disapproves of, and these mishaps end with Bertie reluctantly
giving up the article as a reward to Jeeves for having solved his problems.
Bertie is 24 when he is first introduced, and his age
goes up to 29 in the later books. He is elegantly dressed due to Jeeves. He has blue eyes and is
clean shaven, though he does attempt to grow a moustache in two stories, only
to shave it off since Jeeves looks upon it with disdain. He is a gullible soul
who believes in people blindly.
Wodehouse has a delicious turn of phrase that brings a
chuckle often. His descriptions of people are elaborate and immensely amusing.
Bertie Wooster has his share of aunts, Aunt Dahlia and Aunt Agatha, for
instance, both of whom are diametrically opposite from each other, but both of
whom expect poor Bertie to follow their every whim. His friends are Bingo
Little, Augustus Fink-Nottle and Tuppy Glossop, all of whom drive him into
unimaginable scrapes from which Jeeves has to get him out.
Chivalry lies deep in Bertie’s heart. He falls in and out
of love frequently, some of his supposed love interests being Florence Craye, Pauline
Stoker, Bobbie Wickham, Honoria Glossop and Madeline Bassett. While some are mere
infatuations, some are merely Bertie playing the go-between for his besotted
friends, and in the process giving the impression that he is the one in love.
The situations that follow are absolutely hilarious.
Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse (pronounced Woodhouse) entertained the world with his hilarious stories, comic situations and deft turn of phrase for over seventy years. ‘English Literature’s Performing Flea’ was the description offered to him by Sean O’Casey. While Plum, as Wodehouse was popularly known, was best known for his Blandings Castle and Jeeves novels, he also wore the hat of a talented playwright and lyricist as well. Bertie Wooster continues to be one of his best loved characters even today, and the TV adaptation has none other than the absolutely delightful duo of Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry playing the roles of Bertie and Jeeves respectively.
You know blasphemous as it is, I haven't read even one Jeeves book. But this post has convinced me that I must rectify this immediately. Which one would you recommend?
ReplyDeleteOoh, Suchita, what a treat you have before you! Maybe start with 'Very Good, Jeeves'. I do hope you enjoy it. :)
ReplyDeleteAhh! What a delightful character you have chosen to write about. The Bertie-Jeeves duo is my absolute favorite and has brightened up many a dreary evenings. I have managed to watch a few episodes of the series as well. And must say, Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry have lived their part to the T. Can't imagine anyone playing them better.
ReplyDeleteYour post made me smile and rummage through my Wodehouse collection.So thank you. Will relive a few hours in their company now.
Looking forward to your other posts.
Cheers!
Yayyy, thank you so much! Bertie and Jeeves have brought a chuckle and been my companions too often. Thank you for your heartwarming comment! I am thrilled! 😊😊
ReplyDeleteI'm gonna confess something here. I haven't read any PG Wodehouse books
ReplyDelete🙈 Your post has pushed me to finally pick one up. Tell me where to start
Manali, you have such a treat ahead of you. Wodehouse humour is absolutely spot on. Do start with 'Very Good, Jeeves'. Or maybe you could start with Wodehouse's short stories. There are many to choose from.
DeleteThe moment I think of P.G. Wodehouse a smile comes on my face. I loved Bertie Wooster and how Jeeves effectively made him dance to his tunes. Even the TV series was so much fun!
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed, Harshita! Nothing like a Bertie Wooster failed romance to bring a smile! :)
DeletePlease do not hate me for saying that I have not read any of the P. G. Wodehouse books. I plan to do that soon.
ReplyDeleteChinmayee, there are many who have not read Wodehouse because they cannot relate to his humour. However, I feel that you might enjoy his books. Do start with his short stories... they are light, breezy reads.
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