# XVII explained — Right Ho, Jeeves

> Chapter companion for Right Ho, Jeeves by P. G. Wodehouse.

## What happens

Bertie drives Jeeves to Market Snodsbury Grammar School for the prize-giving, where Gussie Fink-Nottle, intoxicated after Bertie laced his orange juice with gin, delivers a rambling and embarrassing speech, personally attacking Bertie and later accusing a student of cheating. After the event, Jeeves informs Bertie that Gussie has become engaged to Madeline Bassett. Bertie returns to Brinkley Court, rests, and later learns from Jeeves the full extent of Gussie's disastrous behavior, including accusations against the headmaster and a student's mother, which led to the early termination of the proceedings.

## Themes in this chapter

### Comedy of Errors

Gussie's drunken speech and accusations create a series of farcical misunderstandings and public embarrassment.

### Futility of Planning

Bertie's plan to boost Gussie's confidence with gin backfires spectacularly, leading to chaos at the prize-giving.

### Appearance vs. Reality

Gussie appears as a respectable prize-giver but is actually intoxicated; Bertie's calm exterior hides his inner turmoil.

## Character check-ins

### Bertram Wooster

Narrator and driver to the prize-giving; reflects on the bright side of Gussie's intoxication; later rests and discusses the day's events with Jeeves.

### Jeeves

Accompanies Bertie to Market Snodsbury; informs Bertie of Gussie's engagement to Madeline Bassett; later reports the chaotic end of the prize-giving.

### Gussie Fink-Nottle

Intoxicated at the prize-giving; delivers a bizarre speech, accuses a student of cheating, and becomes engaged to Madeline Bassett.

### Aunt Dahlia

Present at the prize-giving; reacts with dismay to Gussie's behavior.

### Madeline Bassett

Sits with Aunt Dahlia; becomes engaged to Gussie after his proposal.

### P. K. Purvis

Young student who wins the spelling and dictation prize; receives a book from Gussie.

## Key lines

> And yet, Jeeves, there is always the bright side.

Bertie tries to find a positive angle despite the chaotic situation.

_Bertie's optimism contrasts with the unfolding disaster._

> I tell you I despise that man. And why do I despise him? Because, boys and ladies and gentlemen, he is a pessimist.

Gussie publicly denounces Bertie as a pessimist during his speech.

_Gussie's drunken rant targets Bertie directly, causing embarrassment._

> Get married, P. K. Purvis. It's the only life.

Gussie advises the young student to get married.

_Gussie's inappropriate advice reflects his intoxicated state._

> He said that he could see it all now, and hinted at a guilty liaison between Master Simmons's mother and the head master.

Gussie accuses the head master of cheating in favor of a student's mother.

_Gussie's accusations escalate the chaos at the prize-giving._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/right_ho_jeeves_se/chapters/xvii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/right_ho_jeeves_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/right_ho_jeeves_se/chapters