Right Ho, Jeeves · Chapter
VIII explained
Bertie encounters Tuppy Glossop at Brinkley Court and learns of his broken engagement with Angela.
What happens
Bertie encounters Tuppy Glossop at Brinkley Court and learns of his broken engagement with Angela. Bertie devises a plan for Tuppy to skip dinner to signal his lingering love, but Tuppy mistakenly credits Jeeves for the idea, wounding Bertie's pride. Tuppy agrees to the scheme, planning to raid the larder later for a steak-and-kidney pie.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
The chapter revolves around Tuppy's broken engagement with Angela and Bertie's efforts to reconcile them, highlighting the theme of love and marriage.
Futility of Planning
Bertie's plan for Tuppy to skip dinner is undermined when Tuppy credits Jeeves, and the scheme involves a secret larder raid, suggesting the futility of elaborate plans.
Appearance vs. Reality
Tuppy's outward melancholy masks his continued love for Angela, and Bertie's plan relies on the appearance of not eating to convey true feelings.
Characters to notice
- Bertram Wooster
Bertie takes on the role of peacemaker between Tuppy and Angela, devising a plan for Tuppy to skip dinner to signal his love.
- Tuppy Glossop
Tuppy is melancholic over his broken engagement with Angela, but agrees to Bertie's plan to skip dinner, planning to raid the larder later.
- Angela
Angela is mentioned as the object of Tuppy's continued affection, though she is not present in the chapter.
- Aunt Dahlia
Aunt Dahlia is referenced as Bertie's informant about the rift between Tuppy and Angela.
- Jeeves
Jeeves is mentioned when Tuppy mistakenly credits him for Bertie's plan, causing Bertie irritation.
- Anatole
Anatole is praised by Tuppy for his culinary skills, particularly the steak-and-kidney pie.
Key passages
“She’s brokenhearted about this rift, Tuppy.”
Bertie tells Tuppy that Angela is heartbroken over their separation.
Bertie tries to convince Tuppy that Angela still loves him.
“The only way to work the thing would be by tipping her off in some indirect way that I am prepared to open negotiations. Should I sigh a bit when we meet, do you think?”
Tuppy suggests sighing to signal his willingness to reconcile.
Tuppy considers indirect methods to communicate his feelings to Angela.
“Don’t eat any dinner tonight. You can see how impressive that would be. She knows how devoted you are to food.”
Bertie advises Tuppy to skip dinner to show his love.
Bertie's plan hinges on Tuppy's known appetite to convey his emotional state.
“You aren't suggesting that you think this scheme I have been sketching out is Jeeves's?”
Bertie is offended that Tuppy credits Jeeves for the idea.
Bertie's pride is wounded when Tuppy assumes the plan originated from Jeeves.