# Guerilla Warfare explained — Psmith, Journalist

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

## What happens

After the initial skirmish with Repetto, Billy and Psmith realize that the gangster will likely escape justice through a false alibi, as predicted. Their victory turns to defeat when Repetto is indeed acquitted. Soon after, the gang escalates its campaign by attacking the paper's carriers, threatening distribution. Wheeler, the business manager, reports the attacks. Psmith proposes a new strategy: instead of waiting for someone else to expose the tenement owner, they will go undercover and question the rent collector directly to uncover the man behind the tenements.

## Themes in this chapter

### Journalism and Power

The chapter highlights the challenges of investigative journalism when facing organized opposition, as the paper's distribution is sabotaged and the editors must find new ways to expose the truth.

### Gang Violence and Corruption

Repetto's acquittal through a false alibi and the systematic beating of carriers demonstrate the pervasive corruption and violence of the East Side gangs.

### Courage and Risk

Billy and Psmith show determination in the face of escalating violence, deciding to personally investigate rather than back down.

## Character check-ins

### Psmith

Discusses Repetto's alibi, proposes a new sleuthing strategy to find the tenement owner by questioning the rent collector.

### Billy Windsor

Predicts Repetto will get off, becomes more determined after the acquittal, and agrees to Psmith's new plan.

### Comrade Repetto

Arrested but acquitted due to a false alibi provided by eleven witnesses; leers at Billy and Psmith afterward.

### Wheeler

Business manager who reports that the paper's carriers are being beaten up by gangs; comments that the editorial staff has 'sand.'

### Pat Harrigan

A carrier who was beaten up and hospitalized; mentioned as having a love for fighting.

## Key lines

> The elimination of Comrade Repetto from the scheme of things in itself is something. I know few men I would not rather meet in a lonely road than Comrade Repetto. He is one of Nature’s sandbaggers.

Psmith says that getting rid of Repetto is a good thing because Repetto is a natural-born thug who attacks people from behind.

_Psmith's humorous yet pointed characterization of Repetto as a habitual sandbagger._

> He said, ‘You’re arresting me, huh? Say, you want to look where you’re goin’; I cut some ice in this town. I made half the big politicians in New York!’

Billy recounts how Monk Eastman bragged to the police that he had influence over many politicians in New York.

_Illustrates the corrupt ties between gangs and politicians._

> What we want to do is to go out and hustle round till we stir up something. Our line up to the present has been to sit at home and scream vigorously in the hope of some stout fellow hearing and rushing to help.

Psmith argues that instead of just writing articles and hoping someone else will act, they need to actively investigate themselves.

_Psmith's shift from passive journalism to active sleuthing._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/psmith_journalist_se/chapters/xvii-guerilla-warfare
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/psmith_journalist_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/psmith_journalist_se/chapters