Right Ho, Jeeves · Chapter
VII explained
Bertie arrives at Brinkley Court to find Aunt Dahlia distressed over Angela and Tuppy's broken engagement.
What happens
Bertie arrives at Brinkley Court to find Aunt Dahlia distressed over Angela and Tuppy's broken engagement. He reveals a plan to fix things based on his own psychology, but Aunt Dahlia dismisses his schemes. Bertie also reflects on a minor rift with Jeeves over the white mess-jacket. Later, he encounters a morose Tuppy in the garden.
Themes in this chapter
Futility of Planning
Bertie devises a plan based on 'psychology of the individual,' but Aunt Dahlia dismisses it as likely to make things worse, highlighting the theme that schemes often backfire.
Appearance vs. Reality
Bertie's confidence in his plan contrasts with Aunt Dahlia's view of him as a 'chump'; also, the surface calm of his smile hides inner turmoil.
The Role of the Servant
Bertie's coolness with Jeeves over the mess-jacket underscores the tension between master and servant, and Aunt Dahlia's trust in Jeeves over Bertie.
Characters to notice
- Bertram Wooster
Narrator and protagonist; drives to Brinkley Court, formulates a plan, and has a coolness with Jeeves over the mess-jacket.
- Aunt Dahlia
Distressed by Angela and Tuppy's rift; dismisses Bertie's plan and worries about telling Uncle Tom about her baccarat losses.
- Jeeves
Mentioned as having attempted to leave Bertie's white mess-jacket behind; Bertie feels a 'passing coolness' toward him.
- Tuppy Glossop
Seen in the garden moodily throwing stones at a flowerpot; his broken engagement with Angela is the central problem.
- Angela
Her rift with Tuppy is the main concern; Bertie is fond of her and wants to bring back her happiness.
- Gussie Fink-Nottle
Mentioned by Aunt Dahlia as 'Spink-Bottle'; she hopes he will be good at the prize-giving if he can keep off newts.
Key passages
“It is true that in the past I have sometimes seen fit to seek Jeeves’s advice. It is possible that in the future I may seek it again. But I claim the right to have a pop at these problems, as they arise, in person, without having everybody behave as if Jeeves was the only onion in the hash.”
Bertie admits he has consulted Jeeves before and might again, but insists on being allowed to tackle problems himself without everyone treating Jeeves as indispensable.
Bertie defends his independence from Jeeves, reflecting his pride and the minor rift between them.
“You might describe it as a passing coolness, but no more. We did not happen to see eye to eye with regard to my white mess-jacket with the brass buttons and I was compelled to assert my personality.”
Bertie characterizes his disagreement with Jeeves as a temporary coolness caused by Jeeves's failure to pack the white mess-jacket, which forced Bertie to stand his ground.
Explains the source of tension between Bertie and Jeeves over the jacket.
“My knowledge of human nature tells me it will work.”
Bertie claims his understanding of people guarantees his plan will succeed.
Bertie's overconfidence in his own scheme, despite Aunt Dahlia's skepticism.
“I suppose you want to shove Angela into the lake and push young Glossop in after her to save her life, or something like that.”
Aunt Dahlia sarcastically predicts Bertie's plan will involve a ridiculous scheme like pushing Angela into a lake so Tuppy can rescue her.
Aunt Dahlia's mockery of Bertie's typical harebrained ideas.
