Platonic Love

In several of the stories involving Bertie Wooster he is kissed by the female character. In each case he expresses repugnance to the gesture. On the other hand neither he, nor any of his lovelorn friends, ever demonstrate any physical affection to the objects of their romantic attentions. Despite the very real intensity of their emotions, and here one recalls the mighty rage of Tuppy Glossop chasing his supposed rival Gussie Fink-Nottle, there never seems to be anything approaching physical expressions of love. A few examples are given below.

At the climax of "Right Ho, Jeeves", when Madeline Bassett is released from her supposed engagement to Bertie Wooster, she kisses him on the forehead. The reaction of the relieved Bertie is "Unpleasant of course, but as Anatole would say I can take a few smooths with a rough". In "Pearls Mean Tears" the girl, Aline Hemingway, on...