# XI: Jimmy Decides to Be Himself explained — Piccadilly Jim

> Chapter companion for Piccadilly Jim by P. G. Wodehouse.

## What happens

Jerry Mitchell is fired from the Pett household after spanking Ogden Ford, jeopardizing a planned kidnapping scheme with Ann Chester. Jimmy Crocker, living under the alias Bayliss, offers to take Jerry's place by impersonating himself as the prodigal nephew to gain entry into the Pett home and assist Ann. Ann initially refuses his involvement in the kidnapping but agrees to let him help reinstate Jerry, and they finalize their plan.

## Themes in this chapter

### Adventure and Escapade

Jimmy proposes a daring impersonation scheme to infiltrate the Pett household, embracing the adventurous spirit of the plot.

### Identity and Mistaken Identity

Jimmy decides to exploit his resemblance to himself (as Jimmy Crocker) to assume a false identity and gain entry into the Pett home.

## Character check-ins

### Jerry Mitchell

Fired from the Pett household after spanking Ogden Ford; seeks comfort from Jimmy and reveals the kidnapping plot.

### Jimmy Crocker

Living under the alias Bayliss; offers to impersonate himself to help Ann and take Jerry's place in the scheme.

### Ann Chester

Visits the boardinghouse to confront Jerry; agrees to Jimmy's plan but insists he limit his role to reinstating Jerry.

### Ogden Ford

Referenced as the cause of Jerry's firing; the target of the kidnapping plot.

## Key lines

> It was less than a quarter of an hour later—such was the speed with which Nemesis, usually slow, had overtaken him—that Jerry Mitchell, carrying a grip and walking dejectedly, emerged from the back premises of the Pett home and started down Riverside Drive in the direction of his boardinghouse...

Within fifteen minutes of his firing, Jerry Mitchell left the Pett mansion and walked dejectedly to his boardinghouse on Ninety-seventh Street.

_Describes Jerry's immediate departure after being dismissed._

> I’ve been fired.

Jerry tells Jimmy he lost his job.

_Jerry breaks the news of his termination to Jimmy._

> Miss Ann and me had got it all fixed up to kidnap the kid!

Jerry reveals that he and Ann had planned to kidnap Ogden.

_Jerry confides the kidnapping plot to Jimmy._

> I propose to assist you by taking Jerry’s place.

Jimmy offers to replace Jerry in the kidnapping scheme.

_Jimmy volunteers to impersonate himself to help Ann._

> I shan’t dream of allowing you—

Ann initially refuses to let Jimmy risk himself in the kidnapping plot.

_Ann objects to Jimmy's full involvement in the scheme._

## Links

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