Something New · Chapter
VII explained
The house party at Blandings Castle is dull and listless, with Lord Emsworth neglecting his duties as host.
What happens
The house party at Blandings Castle is dull and listless, with Lord Emsworth neglecting his duties as host. Guests wander the terraces, complaining. Aline Peters and George Emerson have a tense conversation on the terrace, where George pressures her to break her engagement to Freddie. Meanwhile, the Efficient Baxter, suspicious of George and brooding over various matters, has been keeping nightly vigils in the gallery, waiting for something to happen. Freddie Threepwood, hiding from Baxter in a bedroom, fumes about Baxter's omnipresence.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Servitude
The house party's torpor and the guests' complaints highlight the expectations and obligations of the upper class in maintaining social appearances.
Romance and Rivalry
George Emerson's open pursuit of Aline Peters, despite her engagement to Freddie, creates a romantic triangle and rivalry.
Comedy of Manners and Mistaken Identity
The social dynamics, Baxter's suspicions, and Freddie's hiding from Baxter contribute to the comedy of manners and mistaken identity.
Characters to notice
- Aline Peters
Engaged to Freddie, she is pressured by George Emerson to break the engagement; she resists but shows signs of strain.
- George Emerson
A superman who openly urges Aline to leave Freddie and marry him; his lack of tact annoys her.
- Rupert Baxter
The Efficient Baxter broods on the intimacy between Aline and George, and has been keeping nightly vigils in the gallery, waiting and watching.
- Freddie Threepwood
Hides in a bedroom after nearly being discovered by Baxter; complains about Baxter's constant presence.
- Lord Emsworth
The absentminded host who neglects his guests, preferring to potter in the garden.
- Lady Ann Warblington
The ineffective hostess who spends her time writing letters or nursing headaches in her bedroom.
- Colonel Horace Mant
Walks with the Bishop of Godalming, complaining about the dullness of the house party.
- Lady Mildred Mant
Linked to Mrs. Jack Hale, she criticizes Lord Emsworth as a host.
Key passages
“It is worthy of record, in the light of after events, that at the beginning of their visit it was the general opinion of the guests gathered together at Blandings Castle that the place was dull.”
Looking back later, it's notable that the guests initially found Blandings Castle boring.
Sets the tone for the chapter's atmosphere of ennui.
“A host has no right to interne a regiment of his relations in his house unless he also invites lively and agreeable outsiders to meet them.”
A host shouldn't trap a bunch of relatives in his home without also inviting interesting outsiders to balance them.
Critique of Lord Emsworth's hosting style.
“The trouble with these supermen is that they lack reticence. They do not know how to omit.”
The problem with self-styled supermen is they have no tact and don't know when to stop.
Narrator's commentary on George Emerson's character.
“You can’t take a step anywhere without stumbling over that damn feller, Baxter!”
You can't move an inch without running into that blasted Baxter!
Freddie's exasperated view of Baxter's omnipresence.
