Psmith in the City · Chapter
X: Mr. Bickersdyke Addresses His Constituents explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Bickersdyke is in a foul mood at the bank, ignoring greetings and contemplating dismissing Psmith for his behavior at the bridge game, but realizes he has no valid grounds. He sends for Mr. Rossiter, who praises Psmith's work. That evening, Mr. Bickersdyke addresses a political meeting at the Kenningford Town Hall, where the audience is rowdy. Psmith interrupts him with a trivial question about burning boats to strengthen the Navy, breaking the manager's hold on the crowd. Later, when Mr. Bickersdyke tells an anecdote about a trout (plagiarized from 'Three Men in a Boat'), Psmith rises again to interrupt.
Themes in this chapter
Authority and Rebellion
Mr. Bickersdyke's authority as bank manager is undermined by his inability to dismiss Psmith, and later Psmith rebels by heckling him at the political meeting.
Social Performance and Identity
Mr. Bickersdyke performs as a politician, but Psmith's interruptions expose the fragility of his public persona. The audience's rowdy behavior highlights the performative nature of political meetings.
Humor and Absurdity
Psmith's absurd question about burning boats to strengthen the Navy and the audience's chaotic behavior inject humor into the political setting.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Bickersdyke
The bank manager is in a foul mood, contemplates dismissing Psmith but realizes he has no grounds. Later addresses a political meeting, where Psmith heckles him.
- Psmith
Works in the Postage Department, praised by Mr. Rossiter. Attends Mr. Bickersdyke's political meeting and heckles him twice, breaking his rhythm.
- Rossiter
Head of the Postage Department, reports to Mr. Bickersdyke that Psmith's work is perfect.
- William
Messenger at the bank, notes Mr. Bickersdyke's bad mood and discusses it with Harold and Samuel Jakes.
- Harold
Co-messenger at the bank, enters Mr. Bickersdyke's room apprehensively and later opines that the manager is 'off his chump'.
- George Barstead
Former messenger at the bank, mentioned as having been dismissed for laughing at a joke of Mr. Bickersdyke's.
Key passages
“It was noted by the observant at the bank next morning that Mr. Bickersdyke had something on his mind.”
The bank staff noticed that Mr. Bickersdyke was preoccupied and irritable the next morning.
Sets the tone for the chapter, showing the manager's troubled state.
“His only hope was to catch Psmith doing his work badly.”
Mr. Bickersdyke realized he could only dismiss Psmith if he found him negligent at work.
Highlights the manager's frustration and limited power over Psmith.
“Psmith’s work was about the hottest proposition he had ever struck.”
Mr. Rossiter described Psmith's work as exceptionally difficult to evaluate, but ultimately perfect.
Shows Rossiter's high praise for Psmith, frustrating Mr. Bickersdyke.
“The ordinary heckler Mr. Bickersdyke would have taken in his stride. He had got his audience, and simply by continuing and ignoring the interruption, he could have won through in safety. But the sudden appearance of Psmith unnerved him.”
Mr. Bickersdyke could have handled a typical heckler, but Psmith's unexpected appearance threw him off balance.
Emphasizes Psmith's unique ability to unsettle the manager.
“How do you propose to strengthen the Navy by burning boats?”
Psmith asked a deliberately absurd question about the logic of burning boats to strengthen the Navy.
Psmith's first interruption, designed to mock Mr. Bickersdyke's rhetoric.
