# XLII: Jellicoe Goes on the Sick-List explained — Mike

> Chapter companion for Mike by P. G. Wodehouse.

## What happens

Mike wakes up feeling low-spirited after lending Jellicoe his money and facing detention. During the Old Boys' match, Jellicoe is accidentally hit on the ankle by a drive from Dunster and has to be helped off the field. Mr. Downing, still angry about the previous day's deliberate rag, singles out Mike in a sarcastic and then blunt tirade during form, but is interrupted by a shuffling noise and loses his train of thought.

## Themes in this chapter

### Rebellion Versus Authority

Mr. Downing's angry lecture targets Mike for his role in the deliberate rag, highlighting the tension between student pranks and master authority.

### Ambition and Sacrifice

Mike's cricketing abilities are concealed, leading to conflict with Mr. Downing, who criticizes him for not placing his talents at the school's disposal.

## Character check-ins

### Mike Jackson

Feels stiff and low-spirited after lending Jellicoe money and facing detention; is the target of Mr. Downing's sarcastic and angry lecture.

### Jellicoe

Cheerful and grateful after receiving money from Mike; is hit on the ankle by a drive from Dunster and has to be helped off the field.

### Psmith

Asks Jellicoe to stop his 'farmyard imitations' while dressing.

### Mr. Downing

In a sarcastic mood, singles out Mike for his role in the previous day's rag; loses his inspiration when interrupted by a shuffling noise.

### Dunster

The Old Boy whose drive hits Jellicoe; apologizes and helps Jellicoe off the field.

### Macpherson

Accused by Mr. Downing of shuffling his feet, but denies it.

## Key lines

> You must hang back in order to make a more effective entrance, like some wretched actor who—I will not have this shuffling.

Mr. Downing accuses Mike of deliberately hiding his cricketing skill to create a dramatic effect, then is distracted by a shuffling noise.

_Downing's sarcasm breaks down as he loses his train of thought over a minor disturbance._

> He uttered a yell and sprang into the air. After which he sat down and began to nurse his ankle.

Jellicoe is hit on the ankle by a cricket ball, yells, jumps, and then sits down to tend to his injury.

_The accident that puts Jellicoe on the sick-list._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mike_se/chapters/xlii-jellicoe-goes-on-the-sick-list
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mike_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mike_se/chapters