# Psmith explained — Mike

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

## What happens

Mike meets Psmith, a fellow new student at Sedleigh, and they bond over their shared dislike of the school. Psmith proposes they join the Archaeological Society to avoid cricket and explore the countryside. They commandeer a study and plan to make the best of their situation.

## Themes in this chapter

### Friendship and Loyalty

Mike and Psmith quickly form a bond as fellow newcomers, vowing to stick together and support each other in their new environment.

### Rebellion Versus Authority

Psmith's plan to join the Archaeological Society to avoid cricket and break bounds reflects a subtle rebellion against school rules.

### Ambition and Sacrifice

Both Mike and Psmith are sent to Sedleigh due to their fathers' ambitions for them to win Balliol scholarships, sacrificing their previous schools.

## Character check-ins

### Mike Jackson

New arrival at Sedleigh, determined not to play cricket as a form of protest.

### Psmith

Also new at Sedleigh, a witty and eccentric Etonian who befriends Mike and suggests joining the Archaeological Society.

### Mr. Outwood

Head of the Archaeological Society, described as an 'archaeological cove' who leads expeditions.

### Wyatt Burgess

Mentioned by Mike as a Wrykyn student who used to break out at night to shoot cats with an air-pistol.

### Young Barlitt

Mentioned as the son of the vicar who won a Balliol scholarship, prompting both Mike and Psmith to be sent to Sedleigh.

## Key lines

> I suppose you are a blood at the game? Play for the school against Loamshire, and so on.

I assume you're a star player? Do you represent the school in matches against Loamshire?

_Psmith asks Mike if he is a top cricketer._

> To get off cricket, said Psmith, dusting his right trouser-leg, was the dream of my youth and the aspiration of my riper years.

Avoiding cricket has been my lifelong ambition, Psmith remarked while brushing his trouser leg.

_Psmith expresses his strong desire to avoid playing cricket._

> We must stake out our claims. This is practical Socialism.

We need to claim this room for ourselves. This is what I call practical socialism.

_Psmith justifies commandeering a study as a form of socialist redistribution._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mike_se/chapters/xxxii-psmith
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mike_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mike_se/chapters