Psmith in the City · Chapter
XXVIII: Psmith Arranges His Future explained
Psmith stealthily leaves the bank early, dodging Mr.
What happens
Psmith stealthily leaves the bank early, dodging Mr. Gregory, and meets his father at the Mansion House. They go to Lord's to watch Mike Jackson play cricket. Psmith explains that Mike has been fired for playing instead of working, and then announces his own desire to leave the bank to study for the Bar. His father agrees, and Psmith plans to resign the next day. At Lord's, they see that Mike has scored 98 runs.
Themes in this chapter
Ambition and Career
Psmith decides to leave banking for the Bar, showing his ambition to find a more suitable career.
Authority and Rebellion
Psmith sneaks out of the bank and plans to resign, rebelling against the authority of Mr. Gregory and Mr. Bickersdyke.
Humor and Absurdity
Psmith's theatrical escape from the bank and his witty commentary on commerce and Bickersdyke add a humorous tone.
Characters to notice
- Psmith
Slips out of the bank early, meets his father, and persuades him to allow him to leave the bank to study for the Bar.
- Mr. Gregory
Roars after Psmith as he tries to leave the bank, but Psmith escapes.
- Mike Jackson
Reported to be playing at Lord's, having scored 98 runs; Psmith reveals he has been fired from the bank.
- Joe Jackson
Mentioned as batting with Mike and scoring 61 runs.
- Father
Psmith's father, who agrees to let him leave the bank and study for the Bar.
- Mr. Bickersdyke
Mentioned as the manager who will be pained by Psmith's resignation.
Key passages
“Comrade Gregory is a man who takes such an enthusiastic pleasure in his duties that he will go singing about the office when he discovers that he has got a double lot of work to do.”
Psmith jokes that Mr. Gregory will be happy to do extra work.
Shows Psmith's ironic humor about his escape.
“This can’t go on. This life of commerce is too great a strain. One is practically a hunted hare.”
Psmith complains that working in a bank is too stressful.
Highlights his dissatisfaction with banking.
“I have given it a fair trial, and I now denounce it unhesitatingly as a shade too thick.”
Psmith declares that banking is not for him.
His decision to leave the bank.
“I fancy I should make a pretty considerable hit as a barrister.”
Psmith believes he would be a successful lawyer.
His confidence in his future career.