Satire

P. G. Wodehouse is recognized as one of England's great light satirists of the twentieth century. The "Jeeves and Wooster" stories delicately tweaked the wealthy lords and ladies of Great Britain and their society. The plot of "Jeeves Takes Charge" revolves around the memoirs of Sir Willoughby, Bertie Wooster's rich uncle. The various vignettes in the manuscript ("Recollections of a Long Life") detail embarrassing moments in the youths of several prominent Englishmen. Here, although it is obvious in most of his fiction that he looks favorably upon the wealthy, Wodehouse gently mocks the idea that the upper class is without flaw. One does not have to actually read Sir Willoughby's autobiography to realize this; the events and characters in "Jeeves Takes Charge" are evidence enough. For example, Lord Worplesdon (although he never physically appears) is an eccentric blowhard. His daughter, Florence Craye, is a pushy, conceited snob. Edwin...