# XI explained — The Small Bachelor

> Chapter companion for The Small Bachelor by P. G. Wodehouse.

## What happens

On his wedding day, George Finch encounters the Reverend Gideon Voules, a clergyman with a history of unfortunate weddings, and attempts to engage the butler Ferris in conversation, only to be met with disapproval. Meanwhile, Sigsbee H. Waddington learns that a block of stock he sold to a policeman is now worth millions due to an oil strike, prompting him to rush off to reclaim it.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearances

Sigsbee Waddington's frantic attempt to reclaim stock he sold under false pretenses highlights the theme of deception and the gap between appearance and reality.

### Money and Financial Anxiety

The sudden news of the oil strike and the potential fortune from the stock drives Mr. Waddington's anxiety and desperate actions.

## Character check-ins

### George Finch

The bridegroom, trying to enjoy his wedding day despite awkward encounters with the clergyman and the butler.

### Sigsbee H. Waddington

Agitated upon learning that the butler is guarding the wedding presents, and later frantic to recover stock he sold after discovering it is now worth millions.

### Molly Waddington

Arrives with her mother and the clergyman, greeting George affectionately.

### Mr. Waddington

Present at the wedding, horrified to hear about the oil strike and the value of the stock he sold.

### Rev. Gideon Voules

The clergyman officiating the wedding, known for a series of fatal accidents at his previous ceremonies.

### Ferris

The butler, guarding the wedding presents and expressing disapproval of nearly everything, including marriage and posterity.

## Key lines

> Marriage is not a process for prolonging the life of love. It merely mummifies its corpse.

Ferris cynically states that marriage does not keep love alive but instead preserves it lifelessly.

_Ferris's pessimistic view on marriage contrasts with the wedding day's celebratory mood._

> Only an imbecile would have suggested such a thing.

Mrs. Waddington dismisses George's idea to guard the wedding presents as foolish.

_Highlights the tension between George and his future mother-in-law._

> I see no necessity for posterity, sir.

Ferris expresses his disapproval of future generations, finding no need for them.

_Continues Ferris's theme of disapproval and nihilism._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_small_bachelor_se/chapters/xi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_small_bachelor_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_small_bachelor_se/chapters