# Mr. Waller Appears in a New Light explained — Psmith in the City

> Chapter companion for Psmith in the City by P. G. Wodehouse.

## What happens

Psmith, feeling the loss of Mike's company after his transfer to the Cash Department, frequently visits him there. Mr. Waller, the tolerant cashier, allows these visits. During one such visit, Psmith complains about Bristow's garish waistcoat and mentions his own Socialism. To his surprise, Mr. Waller reveals that he too is a Socialist and invites Psmith and Mike to hear him speak at Clapham Common on Sunday.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Performance and Identity

Mr. Waller hides his Socialist beliefs at work, revealing them only to Psmith, highlighting the contrast between public and private identity.

### Humor and Absurdity

Psmith's exaggerated complaints about Bristow's waistcoat and his melodramatic lamentations over Mike's transfer provide comic relief.

### Work vs. Idleness

The overstaffed bank allows for idle conversations and visits between departments, contrasting with the pretense of busy work.

## Character check-ins

### Psmith

Visits Mike in the Cash Department, complains about Bristow's waistcoat and his own struggles as a reformer, and discovers Mr. Waller's Socialism.

### Mike Jackson

Now working in the Cash Department under Mr. Waller, he enjoys the work and the friendly atmosphere, and is invited to hear Mr. Waller speak.

### Mr. Waller

The cashier, tolerant of Psmith's visits, reveals his secret Socialism and invites Psmith and Mike to his Sunday open-air speech.

### Bristow

Mike's successor in the Postage Department, wears detachable cuffs and a garish waistcoat, much to Psmith's dismay.

### Rossiter

Mentioned as Psmith's colleague in the Postage Department, with whom he discusses Manchester United's defeat.

## Key lines

> I cannot keep an eye on both of them at the same time. The moment I concentrate myself on Comrade Bickersdyke for a brief spell, and seem to be doing him a bit of good, what happens? Why, Comrade Bristow sneaks off and buys a sort of woollen sunset.

Psmith complains that while he focuses on reforming Bickersdyke, Bristow distracts him with an outrageously colorful waistcoat.

_Psmith's humorous frustration with his dual reform targets._

> I am delighted. I also—

Mr. Waller eagerly reveals he shares Psmith's Socialist beliefs.

_Mr. Waller's unexpected confession of his political alignment._

> I have never liked to speak of it to anybody in the office, but I, too, am heart and soul in the movement.

Mr. Waller admits he has kept his Socialism secret at work until now.

_The hidden identity of Mr. Waller as a Socialist._

## Links

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