The Artist Claims His Work explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Friendship and Loyalty

  Psmith sacrifices himself by confessing to protect Mike from expulsion.

• Rebellion Versus Authority

  Psmith's false confession and subsequent explanation challenge the headmaster's authority.

Characters to notice

• Mike Jackson

  Falsely accused of painting Sammy; relieved when Psmith confesses.

• Psmith

  Confesses to the crime to save Mike, then explains his motive to the headmaster.

• Mr. Downing

  Brings accusation against Mike; later reports Psmith's confession.

• The Headmaster

  Interrogates Mike and later Psmith; ultimately dismisses the matter.

• Adair

  Arrives to defend Mike; waits outside after Psmith's interview.

Key passages

• “The line of action which Psmith had called Stout Denial is an excellent line to adopt, especially if you really are innocent, but it does not lead to anything in the shape of a bright and snappy dialogue between accuser and accused.”

  Psmith's strategy of stubbornly denying everything works well for the innocent, but it makes for a dull conversation.

  Narrator's commentary on the effectiveness of denial.

• “There is nothing in this world quite so stolid and uncommunicative as a boy who has made up his mind to be stolid and uncommunicative”

  A boy determined to be silent is the most unresponsive thing in existence.

  Describes Mike's demeanor during the headmaster's questioning.

• “I have discovered—I have been informed—In short, it was not Jackson, who committed the—who painted my dog.”

  Mr. Downing announces that Mike is not the one who painted his dog.

  Mr. Downing clears Mike of the accusation.

• “The craze for notoriety, sir. The curse of the present age.”

  Psmith explains his false confession as a desire for attention, a modern problem.

  Psmith's ironic explanation to the headmaster.

• “Not a bad old sort. By no means a bad old sort. I must drop in from time to time and cultivate him.”

  Psmith thinks the headmaster is a decent fellow and plans to visit him occasionally.

  Psmith's private assessment after the interview.