# Psmith Applies for Employment explained — Leave It to Psmith

> Chapter companion for Leave It to Psmith by P. G. Wodehouse.

## What happens

Psmith visits an employment bureau and encounters Eve Halliday, who had borrowed his umbrella earlier. After a series of misunderstandings about names, Psmith learns Eve's true identity from Miss Clarkson and expresses interest in her. He then formally applies for employment, giving a whimsical account of his background and stipulating that he wants any job not involving fish.

## Themes in this chapter

### Mistaken Identity and Imposture

Psmith repeatedly mistakes Eve for Miss Clarkson and later jokingly calls himself Mr. Walderwick, highlighting the theme of mistaken identity.

### Comedy of Errors and Miscommunication

The confusion over names and Psmith's whimsical application create a series of comedic misunderstandings.

## Character check-ins

### Psmith

Visits the employment bureau, interacts with Eve and Miss Clarkson, and applies for any job not involving fish.

### Eve Halliday

Meets Psmith at the bureau, returns the umbrella conversationally, and is revealed to be a governess seeking work.

### Miss Clarkson

Proprietress of the employment bureau; interviews Psmith and provides background on Eve Halliday.

### Comrade Walderwick

Mentioned as the owner of the umbrella Psmith gave to Eve.

## Key lines

> Merely practical Socialism. Other people are content to talk about the Redistribution of Property. I go out and do it.

Psmith jokingly justifies giving away someone else's umbrella as a form of practical socialism.

_Psmith's humorous rationalization for his action._

> Broadly speaking, any reasonably salaried position that has nothing to do with fish.

Psmith states he will accept any job that does not involve the fish trade.

_Psmith's key condition for employment, reflecting his earlier experience._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/v-psmith-applies-for-employment
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters