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Jeeves Takes Charge | Introduction

P. G. Wodehouse’s ‘‘Jeeves Takes Charge’’ was first published in 1919 in England in a collection of stories entitled My Man Jeeves. Wodehouse wrote dozens of stories and several novels detailing the comical misadventures of Bertie Wooster, a befuddled young Englishman, and his resourceful butler, Jeeves. ‘‘Jeeves Takes Charge’’ is one of the earliest stories in the series. Bertie recounts how he came to hire Jeeves in the story. In ‘‘Jeeves Takes Charge,’’ as in all the ‘‘Jeeves and Wooster’’ stories, Bertie foolishly gets himself into a difficult predicament and it is up to Jeeves to save him. Wodehouse’s stories were very popular when they were published, and they are still widely read today. His particular brand of humor continues to amuse many people as the numerous fan clubs that are found on the Internet demonstrates.

Jeeves Takes Charge Summary

The story takes place in England sometime between 1910 and 1920. Narrator Bertie Wooster, an idle and rich young man, opens ‘‘Jeeves Takes Charge’’ by admitting that he is much too dependent on his butler Jeeves. However, he is unashamed; after all, in Bertie’s opinion, Jeeves is a genius. ‘‘From the collar upward he stands alone,’’ says Bertie, and he proceeds to detail how he came to trust the butler with all of his affairs.

During a visit to Easeby, his Uncle Willoughby’s estate, Bertie catches his original butler, Meadowes, stealing silk socks. He is forced to return to London to hire a new valet. Bertie is attempting to read a dull book given to him by his fiancee, Florence Craye, when Jeeves first arrives. Bertie, who is nursing a hangover, is immediately impressed when Jeeves concocts a remedy for him. During their conversation, Bertie learns that Jeeves was formerly employed by Florence’s father, Lord Worplesdon. Jeeves resigned because he disapproved of Lord Worplesdon’s fashion sense. Bertie senses that Jeeves does not approve of his engagement to Florence. Bertie receives a telegram from Florence urgently requesting that he return to Easeby, where she is staying as a guest. He orders Jeeves to pack, and discovers that Jeeves dislikes the suit he is wearing. Bertie disregards the butler’s disapproval.

Upon arriving at Easeby, Bertie determines the nature of the emergency. His Uncle Willoughby has been writing his memoirs, ‘‘Recollections of a Long Life.’’ It seems that the old man has read some of the manuscript to Florence, and she is appalled. The book details Sir Willoughby’s wild adventures with his friends during their youth. Her father is one of many respectable gentlemen who, she feels, will be scandalized if the book... » Complete Jeeves Takes Charge Summary