Short Fiction · Chapter
Mr. Frisbie explained
The narrator, a chauffeur for the wealthy Mr.
What happens
The narrator, a chauffeur for the wealthy Mr. Frisbie, describes his dual role as caddy and confidant. After a reporter's visit, he decides to write an article about his employer's private life, focusing on his golf obsession and a family conflict over his daughter's suitors. The narrator devises a scheme to resolve the deadlock between Mr. Frisbie and his daughter Florence, who wishes to marry the poor but skilled golfer Craig, while her father prefers the wealthy but unathletic Junior Holt.
Themes in this chapter
Class and Aspiration
The narrator, a chauffeur, aspires to write and gain recognition, while Mr. Frisbie's wealth and status dominate the household dynamics.
Family and Generational Conflict
The conflict between Mr. Frisbie and his daughter over her choice of husband illustrates generational and class-based tensions.
Satire of Media and Business
The reporter's attempt to interview Mr. Frisbie and the narrator's own writing venture satirize the media's fascination with the rich and the difficulty of accessing their private lives.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Allen Frisbie
A wealthy retired businessman, obsessed with golf, and a strict father who opposes his daughter's choice of suitor.
- Miss Florence Frisbie
Mr. Frisbie's daughter, in love with Craig, and willing to defy her father's wishes.
- Mr. Robert Frisbie
Mentioned as part of the Frisbie family, though not central to this chapter.
Key passages
“Mr. Frisbie is a man just this side of 60 years of age. Almost 10 years ago he retired from active business with money enough to put him in a class with the richest men in the United States.”
Mr. Frisbie is nearly 60 and retired about a decade ago, amassing wealth that places him among the richest Americans.
Introduces Mr. Frisbie's wealth and retirement.
“It was during while this brother-in-law was visiting Mr. Frisbie that I entered the last named employee and was an onlooker when Mr. Frisbie’s brother-in-law persuaded his brother-in-law to try the game of golf.”
When Mr. Frisbie's brother-in-law visited, he convinced Mr. Frisbie to try golf, and I was present as an employee.
Explains how Mr. Frisbie became addicted to golf.
“Mr. Kirk kept pumping at me but I am used to being pumped at and Mr. Kirk finally gave up pumping at me as he found me as closed mouth as Mr. Frisbie himself.”
Mr. Kirk tried to extract information from me, but I remained as tight-lipped as Mr. Frisbie, so he gave up.
Shows the narrator's loyalty and the difficulty of getting information about Mr. Frisbie.
“Miss Florence said that Craig was not a tramp and she loved him and would not marry anyone else and as for Holt he was terrible but even if he was not terrible she would never consider undergoing the bands of matrimony with a man named Junior.”
Florence defended Craig, saying she loved him and would not marry anyone else, and she found Holt terrible, even objecting to his name.
Highlights the daughter's defiance and her feelings toward the two suitors.