Mr. Mulliner Stories · Chapter
Mulliner's Buck-U-Uppo explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Mulliner recounts the story of his nephew Augustine, a pale and timid curate in love with Jane, the daughter of the formidable Rev. Stanley Brandon. After taking a powerful tonic called Buck-U-Uppo, Augustine transforms into a bold and assertive man, confronting his housekeeper, the vicar, and even the bishop, ultimately winning Jane's hand and resolving conflicts with newfound confidence.
Themes in this chapter
Transformation and Self-Improvement
Augustine's dramatic change from a meek curate to a confident man after taking Buck-U-Uppo tonic illustrates the theme of personal transformation.
Gender Roles and Power
The story explores power dynamics between men and women, such as the bishop's submission to his wife and Augustine's newfound assertiveness.
Absurdity of Modern Life
The comedic situations, including a bishop climbing a tree and a tonic causing radical personality changes, highlight the absurdity of social conventions.
Characters to notice
- Augustine Mulliner
The pale, timid curate who transforms after taking Buck-U-Uppo tonic, becoming bold and assertive.
- Jane Oliphant
Augustine's beloved, daughter of the vicar, who fears her father's reaction to their relationship.
- Rev. Stanley Brandon
The violent-tempered vicar and former heavyweight boxer, father of Jane.
- Bish
The bishop, an old school friend of Brandon, who comes for Confirmation services and later gives his blessing to Augustine's marriage.
- Mrs. Wardle
Augustine's housekeeper, who is berated by him after he takes the tonic for forgetting the hot-water bottle.
- Mr. Mulliner
The narrator, who tells the story of his nephew Augustine at the Anglers' Rest.
Key passages
“The description in the song would have fitted him perfectly. You will want to hear all about my nephew Augustine.”
Mr. Mulliner suggests that his nephew Augustine matches the description of a pale young curate from the song, and prepares to tell his story.
Sets up the character of Augustine as a stereotypical meek curate.
“I can no longer brook this secrecy. I shall go into the house immediately and ask your father for your hand.”
Augustine declares he can no longer tolerate the secret meetings and intends to ask Jane's father for permission to marry her.
Shows Augustine's initial desire for honesty, which is thwarted by fear.
“Shut up! What I want from you is less backchat and more hot-water bottles.”
Augustine, after taking the tonic, aggressively demands a hot-water bottle from Mrs. Wardle, showing his newfound assertiveness.
Illustrates the immediate effect of Buck-U-Uppo on Augustine's behavior.
“I owe you a great deal, Mulliner. You saved me from a terrible disaster. Had you not leaped through that window at that precise juncture and intervened, I really believe I should have pasted my dear old friend Brandon in the eye.”
The bishop thanks Augustine for preventing him from punching the vicar, acknowledging the potential scandal.
Highlights the comedic tension and the bishop's gratitude.
“I'll fix that for you in a second. Thick winter woollies on a day like this! Absurd!”
Augustine confidently promises to convince the bishop's wife to let him remove his heavy woolen underwear, showing his boldness.
Demonstrates Augustine's continued assertiveness even with the bishop's wife.
