# Chapter XXIII explained — Right Ho, Jeeves

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

## What happens

Bertie learns that Jeeves' fire bell scheme was only a preliminary to a psychological plan that united the quarreling couples through their mutual dislike of Bertie. After Bertie's bicycle ride, the animosity turned to amusement, and all relationships are restored: Tuppy and Angela are betrothed, Gussie and Madeline are together, Uncle Tom funds the magazine, and Anatole stays. Madeline releases Bertie from their engagement, calling him a 'parfait knight,' and Bertie, though sore, is overjoyed.

## Themes in this chapter

### Appearance vs. Reality

Jeeves' fire bell scheme appears to fail but is actually a deliberate psychological setup to create a mutual dislike of Bertie, leading to reconciliation.

### Futility of Planning

Bertie's attempts to avoid engagement and manage relationships are overturned by Jeeves' hidden plan, showing the futility of his own schemes.

### Love and Marriage

All romantic entanglements are resolved: Tuppy and Angela, Gussie and Madeline are reunited; Bertie is freed from his unwanted engagement.

## Character check-ins

### Bertram Wooster

Narrator and protagonist; learns of Jeeves' psychological scheme, is released from engagement to Madeline, and feels bucked despite physical discomfort.

### Jeeves

Reveals his true plan: using Bertie as a mutual dislike to reunite the couples; admits to ruining Bertie's mess-jacket but secures happy endings.

### Madeline Bassett

Walks with Bertie in the twilight, compares him to a Knight of the Round Table, and releases him from their engagement to return to Gussie.

### Gussie Fink-Nottle

Reunited with Madeline Bassett; mentioned as telling stories about Bertie's schooldays during the garden reconciliation.

### Tuppy Glossop

Betrothed again to Angela; walked with her beneath the trees exchanging anecdotes about Bertie.

### Angela

Reconciled with Tuppy Glossop; shared stories of Bertie's childhood with Tuppy in the garden.

## Key lines

> One cannot make an omelette without breaking eggs, sir.

Jeeves justifies his rough methods by noting that achieving a good result sometimes requires causing some harm.

_Jeeves uses this proverb to explain his psychological scheme that temporarily made Bertie the target of everyone's dislike._

> A very parfait knight!

Madeline praises Bertie for his chivalry in releasing her from their engagement.

_Madeline compares Bertie to a perfect knight from Tennyson's Idylls of the King as she ends their engagement._

> All's well that ends well.

Bertie concludes that despite the chaos, the final outcome is satisfactory.

_Bertie reflects on the happy resolutions after Jeeves explains his scheme._

## Links

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