# The Bishop's Move explained — Mr. Mulliner Stories

> Chapter companion for Mr. Mulliner Stories by P. G. Wodehouse.

## What happens

Mr. Mulliner recounts the next chapter in Augustine's life, now serving as secretary to the Bishop of Stortford. The bishop is pressured by his wife to give a vacant living to her incompetent cousin instead of Augustine, who takes the disappointment in stride. They travel to Harchester School for the unveiling of a statue to Lord Hemel of Hempstead, where the bishop is overwhelmed by nostalgic schoolboy feelings. After the ceremony, the bishop and headmaster Trevor Entwhistle, exhausted, sample Augustine's Buck-U-Uppo tonic and find it surprisingly pleasant.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Duty

The bishop is torn between his duty to Augustine and his wife's demand to give the living to her cousin.

### Transformation and Self-Improvement

Augustine's cheerful resilience and the Buck-U-Uppo tonic symbolize personal transformation and coping.

### Absurdity of Modern Life

The bishop's schoolboy fears resurface absurdly, and the tonic's effects add comic absurdity.

## Character check-ins

### Augustine Mulliner

Now the bishop's secretary; takes disappointment about the living cheerfully and recommends Buck-U-Uppo tonic.

### Mr. Mulliner

Narrates the story in the bar-parlour after attending Evensong.

### Trevor Entwhistle

Headmaster of Harchester, old schoolfellow of the bishop, invites him to unveil the statue.

### General Bloodenough

Chairman of the College Board of Governors, praises the bishop's speech.

## Key lines

> It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop than with a brawling woman in a wide house. Proverbs 21:9.

The bishop quotes scripture to explain that living peacefully alone is preferable to living with a quarrelsome wife.

_The bishop uses this verse to justify giving in to his wife's demand._

> I keep smiling, and take the Buck-U-Uppo daily.

Augustine says he stays cheerful by taking the tonic every day.

_Augustine reveals his secret to maintaining a positive attitude._

> It sort of sends a kind of glow over you.

The bishop describes the pleasant warming sensation from the tonic.

_After sampling the Buck-U-Uppo, the bishop and headmaster enjoy its effects._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mr_mulliner_stories_se/chapters/the-bishop-s-move
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mr_mulliner_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mr_mulliner_stories_se/chapters