Discussion:
Goodbye To All Cats
(too old to reply)
DonH
2011-10-09 04:40:36 UTC
Permalink
Such is the title of a short story in the collection, "Young Men in Spats".
Wodehouse wrote quite a few tales about cats, and dogs, even making the
animal the narrator.
While Bludleigh Court ("Mr.Mulliner Speaking") is a country house where
animals are slaughtered constantly in the name of sport, the house in GTAC,
namely, Matcham Scratchings, is infested by Animal Lovers who dote on them -
as hapless Freddie Widgeon discovered, when invited there by potential
girlfriend, Dahlia Prenderby.
The majority of the menagerie are cats, with a sprinkling of dogs, and
even a chimp.
My emphasis on this story is because, at one point, PGW reaches a climax
of mirth, at the expense of Freddie, where his every move results in
disaster - barging into one cat, backstepping on another, and sitting down
on a third. Culminating in an attempted explanation, where his wild
gesticulation "sloshed another...in the short ribs. Dahlia caught the
animal as it flew through the air." Yes, a very funny episode.
Calvin
2011-10-20 22:36:56 UTC
Permalink
Post by DonH
Such is the title of a short story in the collection, "Young Men in Spats".
Wodehouse wrote quite a few tales about cats, and dogs, even making the
animal the narrator.
[snip]
Post by DonH
Yes, a very funny episode.
Just re-read this myself and yes it is one of Plum's best short stories.
Ditto Archmbald and the Masses.
--
Pip pip!
Uncle Woggly
DonH
2011-10-24 20:24:15 UTC
Permalink
Post by Calvin
Post by DonH
Such is the title of a short story in the collection, "Young Men in Spats".
Wodehouse wrote quite a few tales about cats, and dogs, even making the
animal the narrator.
[snip]
Post by DonH
Yes, a very funny episode.
Just re-read this myself and yes it is one of Plum's best short stories.
Ditto Archmbald and the Masses.
--
Pip pip!
Uncle Woggly
# "Archibald and the Masses" was published (in "Young Men in Spats") in the
pre-war year of 1936, and we may wonder if PG felt the need to make some
kind of political statement?
Not that he was noted for any involvement in politics, but doubtless had
some private views.
The Masses may be not be quite the "martyred proletariat" of propaganda
leaflets, as Archibald found out, but personal encounters do not go to the
crux of the matter - which is institutionalized "wage slavery" inherent in
corporate structure ("There are those who do the work, and those who get the
profit" - ie. employees versus external shareholders).
Bertrand Russell may have been guilty of similar superficiality, in his
essay "The Superior Virtue of the Oppressed" (in "Unpopular Essays").
Industrial Democracy is the solution to this lack of franchise, and is
independent on the virtues or vices of bosses or workers, collectively or as
individuals.
As Winston Churchill put it : "It is not that democracy is ideal, but
that the alternatives are worse" (or words to that effect).
And while Plum and Bertie may not like it, they were both literary
workhorses, and thus qualified to be Proles - living by sale of their
labour.
Calvin
2011-10-24 22:12:28 UTC
Permalink
Post by DonH
# "Archibald and the Masses" was published (in "Young Men in Spats") in the
pre-war year of 1936, and we may wonder if PG felt the need to make some
kind of political statement?
Not that he was noted for any involvement in politics, but doubtless had
some private views.
The Masses may be not be quite the "martyred proletariat" of propaganda
leaflets, as Archibald found out, but personal encounters do not go to the
crux of the matter - which is institutionalized "wage slavery" inherent in
corporate structure ("There are those who do the work, and those who get the
profit" - ie. employees versus external shareholders).
Given Plum's well known apolitical views, I felt it was more a comment on
the liberal do-good-to-others ethic than corporate structures. Archibald's
comment that he would hold some prole youth with one hand and shove bread
down his throat with the other if necessary is suggestive (not to mention
hilarious).

What do others make of it?
--
cheers,
calvin
DonH
2011-10-25 20:43:11 UTC
Permalink
This post might be inappropriate. Click to display it.
DonH
2011-10-28 19:49:02 UTC
Permalink
Post by Calvin
Post by DonH
Such is the title of a short story in the collection, "Young Men in Spats".
Wodehouse wrote quite a few tales about cats, and dogs, even making the
animal the narrator.
[snip]
Post by DonH
Yes, a very funny episode.
Just re-read this myself and yes it is one of Plum's best short stories.
Ditto Archmbald and the Masses.
--
Pip pip!
Uncle Woggly
# The story after "Achibald and the Masses" is also about Archibald - "The
Code of the Mulliners" - in which you get to learn what "QX" means. Is the
Mater mad?
The final tale in this book is about "The Fiery Wooing of Mordred", and
how an unconscious pyrotechnic habit is turned to good advantage.
("the dentist...said with a rueful sigh that there didn't seem to be
anything to do this time")

Loading...