# The Tenements explained — Psmith, Journalist

> Chapter companion for Psmith, Journalist by P. G. Wodehouse.

## What happens

Psmith and Mike explore the New York slums, where Psmith is struck by the appalling living conditions and decides to use Cosy Moments to expose the tenement owners. The chapter also covers the overhaul of the magazine after firing the old contributors, with Psmith and Billy Windsor planning to fill the paper with new content.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Reform and Justice

Psmith's decision to expose the tenement conditions demonstrates a commitment to social reform and justice for the poor.

### Journalism and Power

The overhaul of Cosy Moments and the plan to use the paper as a tool for exposing slum conditions highlights the power of journalism to effect change.

### Class and Inequality

The stark contrast between the comfortable lives of the editors and the squalor of the tenements underscores class inequality.

## Character check-ins

### Psmith

Psmith takes charge of the editorial changes, explores the tenements with Mike, and resolves to expose the slum conditions in Cosy Moments.

### Mike

Mike accompanies Psmith on the search for a flat and through the tenements, expressing sympathy for the poor children.

### Billy Windsor

Billy Windsor is mentioned as knowing reporters who can contribute to the revamped Cosy Moments.

### Mr. J. Fillken Wilberfloss

Wilberfloss is the absent editor, ordered complete rest during his holiday, with the paper withheld from him until his return.

## Key lines

> I fancy I have found my métier. Commerce, many considered, was the line I should take; and doubtless, had I stuck to that walk in life, I should soon have become a financial magnate. But something seemed to whisper to me, even in the midst of my triumphs in the New Asiatic Bank, that there were other fields. For the moment it seems to me that I have found the job for which nature specially designed me. At last I have Scope.

Psmith believes he has discovered his true calling in journalism, feeling that he now has the opportunity to make a real impact, unlike in banking.

_Psmith expresses his satisfaction with his new role at Cosy Moments._

> This place makes me sick. I'm going in to have a look round. I expect some muscular householder will resent the intrusion and boot us out, but we'll risk it.

Psmith is disgusted by the tenement conditions and decides to explore despite the risk of being thrown out.

_Psmith's determination to investigate the slums firsthand._

> I propose, Comrade Jackson, if Comrade Windsor is agreeable, to make things as warm for the owner of this place as I jolly well know how. What he wants, of course, is disembowelling. I fancy, however, that a mawkishly sentimental legislature will prevent our performing that national service. We must endeavour to do what we can by means of kindly criticism in the paper.

Psmith plans to use the paper to criticize the tenement owner, since legal action is not possible.

_Psmith's strategy to expose the slum landlord through journalism._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/psmith_journalist_se/chapters/vi-the-tenements
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/psmith_journalist_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/psmith_journalist_se/chapters