Psmith

Ronald Eustace Psmith (or Rupert Psmith, as his is called in the first two books in which he appears) is a character in several of the comic novels of P. G. Wodehouse. The P in his surname is silent, and was added by himself as he considers himself (with some justice) to be too remarkable to be a mere "Smith".

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He is something of a dandy, and has a remarkable ability to pass through the most amazing adventures unruffled (at least until his final appearance).

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He appears in four novels: Mike (1909) (the second half of which was also published separately as Mike and Psmith), Psmith in the City (1910), Psmith Journalist (1915); Leave it to Psmith (1923).

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Leave it to Psmith differs somewhat in style from its predecessors, in that Psmith finally shows a romantic streak.

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In his first appearance (in Mike or Mike and Psmith, depending which edition you have) he introduces himself as Rupert. He is also refered to as Rupert twice in "Psmith in the City." In "Leave it to Psmith," however, he introduces himself as Ronald Eustace. This is probably because "Leave it to Psmith" contains another character named Rupert; Wodehouse probably thought having two Ruperts would be confusing for readers, and since Psmith is generally refered to by his surname only, it was not unreasonable for Wodehouse to assume that the change would go largely unnoticed.

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Psmith is a somewhat selfish young man, however, he is generous towards those he likes. In a typical example from Leave it to Psmith, he perceives the story's primary female lead, Eve, standing across the street (Psmith is located in the Senior Conservative Club, trapped by the rain under an awning. He decides, chivalrous gentleman that he is, to get her an umbrella. Unfortunately for Psmith, he does not, in point of fact, possess an umbrella.

Related Topics:
Leave it to Psmith - Senior Conservative Club - Umbrella

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To that end, he proceeds to the coatroom, and examines the rows of umbrellas. After several minutes, he selects an attractive one, and asks the coatroom attendant to whom the umbrella belongs. After hearing the answer, he proceeds across the street, hands the umbrella to Eve, and walks away.

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When the owner of the Umbrella comes to fetch it, Psmith attempts to comfort him by saying it is for a good cause, and, later, when relating the story, says, "Other people merely talk about the redistribution of property; I practice it." (Another of Psmith's quirks is his penchant for nominal socialism, observed mostly in his casual use of "Comrade" as a substitude for "Mister.")

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