CHARACTERS IN THE STORY

A blend of different characters is prominent in this story, both major and minor and possessing quite striking features.

The main character, Lord Emsworth, the ninth Earl-: A fluffyminded member of the high society, with a particularly peculiar and eccentric behaviour. An overly-dependant and easy-going man, he often finds himself in sticky situations. In my opinion, he may be diagnosed with a complete lack of common sense. Hon. Frederick Threepwood( Freddie), Emsworths second sonHe is never too low on energy, and is always sprightly and on his toes. Being highly adventurous and dangerously mischievous are his attributes. He is always bold and frank with whoever he speaks.

CHARACTERS(continued)

Angus McAllister, head-gardener to Lord Emsworth- An honest, firm-minded and intelligent Scot, this is a man who means business. With a sturdy, well-built frame and a sturdy, uncompromising mind as well, McAllister is talented at the job he does best: handling pumpkins.
Butler to Lord Emsworth- A very and knowledgeable person. He is undoubtedly very faithful and humble and assists Emsworth, however clumsy he may be.

Niagara Donaldson, Freddies fiance- The daughter of a rich multi-billionaire, Aggie is a talented, bright and exuberant American.
Mr Donaldson, Aggies father- A rich American owner of a dogbiscuit company. He is a frank man who is quite enthusiastic about Niagaras marriage to Freddie.

CHARACTERS(continued)
Constable-

A minor character, the constable is dominating and speaks in a colloquial and informal tone. Abides very strictly by rules, is righteous and is passionate about flowers. He is an all-time winner of the Shrewsbury Show Pumpkin contest and is a true sportsman and gentleman.

Park-keeper -

Gregory Parsloe-Parsloe -

SUMMARY OF THE STORY

PG Wodehouses The Custody of the Pumpkin, is a humorous and light-hearted account of the feudal lords of earlier times, revolving around the life of one such strange lord, the ninth Earl of Emsworth- a nonsensical and ridiculously silly man with no knowledge of the practical world. Flanked by butlers and gardeners, Lord Emsworth has all the free time in the world. Besides experimenting with new toys, he devotes his life to one extremely important activity- growing a pumpkin. A big, fat, healthy one that will fetch him the first prize at the Shrewsbury Show. The fate of his precious pumpkin is entrusted to McAllister, his head-gardener. Emsworth always dreams of getting rid of Freddie by getting him married to an aspiring and educated young lady. So, he is shocked when he learns of his plans to wed an American named Niagara, who is McAllisters cousin. He does his best to get rid of the girl through confrontations with his gardener, but ends up losing McAllister instead. Eventually, Emsworth realises that his pumpkins need the gardener. Attempts to call him back fail.

SUMMARY(continued)
Things take a turn when Emsworth meets Niagaras father, a multi-billionaire. Thoughts about money and about Freddie leaving home overwhelm him, and he

agrees to the marriage.

The story concludes on this happy note, with Emsworth winning the first place at

the Shrewsbury Show.

THEMES OF THE STORY

Eccentricities of the feudal lords and their lack of practical life

beyond their limited worldThis theme is portrayed quite distinctly in the story, giving us instances of Lord Emsworth's lack of common sense and his unusual behaviour. Right from the start, he is shown as being too dependant on his butler, too fussy and extremely quick-tempered.
In the opening scene, while handling a telescope, he forgets to

remove the cap and complains that he has been swindled and can't see at all. Emsworth relies on his butler even for putting on his cap. This depicts how the lords could not manage anything by themselves. Emsworth is portrayed as a whimsical fellow, having a fondness for new toys and losing interest quickly in things. Thus, the lords of earlier times are shown as strange and foolish creatures.

THEMES(continued)
Much Ado About Nothing of trivialities-

This theme is quite prominent and finds base in Lord Emsworths behaviour and feelings. He is depicted as making mountains out of mole-hills, or fussing over as frivolous a thing as growing a pumpkin. According to him, his whole life centred only on that vegetable. Emsworth took the pumpkin matter to the most ridiculous level- between calling it the Blandings Hope and entrusting it to a custodian who understood pumpkins, he exaggerated it greatly, much more than necessary. There was nothing he valued and protected more than that pumpkin, guarding it with his life and keeping it from harms way. The absurdity of the situation provides humour to the reader. is the common theme of class differences, but characters are also seen as breaking free of them. Emsworth, an idealistic person, cares only about status and wealth to show off with, and feels it essential

Class distinction and breaking away from it- Mingled into the story

THEMES(continued)
to conform with the aristocracy. Living in an artificial world of manner, morals and appearance, he expects his son to marry an eligible girl and make a name for himself. But, Emsworth and Freddie are as different as chalk and cheese. Freddie, an easy-going boy, endeavours to break away from class distinction by marrying a from a so-called lower class. Thus, though not very conspicuous, this theme is woven into the story.
Nature:

PG Wodehouse has used descriptions of nature and the surroundings very liberally, with some invoking calmness and others inspiring awe in the reader. In fact, the story opens with a description of the morning sunlight that is compared to an amber shower-bath, and with illustrations of the majestic layout and environment of the castle. Scenes and settings have been spectacularly laid-out and brought to life with his words; be it the description of the hustle-bustle in London or the serene surroundings of the castle, all are

THEMES(continued)
equally admirable. The theme of nature is established very exquisitely by the author.
Victimisation of time- A humorous way of saying wasting time,

victimisation of time is shown to be a serious issue with Lord Emsworth. Possessing butlers and assistants to tend to his chores, he comes face-to-face with a lot of spare time, which he could very well use for something important. Instead, he squanders it all on his unusual whims like playing with new toys and on watching his son mope around. Not to mention growing a pumpkin. Thus, time is portrayed as being victimised or not being used effectively.

SETTING AND ATMOSPHERE

Blandings Castle (turret on left wing): A beautiful and picturesque

place with green lawns , wide terraces, meadows, turrets, outhouses and flower-beds. The sunshine falling on the castle gives a wonderful imagery. The atmosphere is calm and serene, and inspires awe in the readers. Castles terrace: It is tense as Emsworth follows Freddie suspiciously, ready to pounce on him. But, at the same time, it is lighthearted because of Freddies sunniness. Yew Alley: Emsworths angry meeting with McAllister contributes to the anxiety-filled atmosphere. London: According to Dr Johnson, London is an enjoyable and entertaining city. But, Emsworth loathes it. Thus, there is an air of disgust and a lot of hustle-bustle. Senior Conservative Club: Emsworth is in a black and soured mood. The building is massive and creates a formidable feeling.

SETTING AND ATMOSPHERE

Hotel Magnificent: The place where Emsworth meets Freddie. The

atmosphere is apprehensive, with Freddie meaning to tell his father about his marriage and Emsworth asking him about his pumpkins.
Kensington Gardens: At first, everything is cool and composed in the

garden but as the scene proceeds, it turns chaotic. But it has a hint of humour, due to the throng that gathers around Emsworth. The meeting with Donaldson in the same scene provides comic relief.
Shrewsbury Contest: The last scene in the story. All becomes well

again as Emsworth wins the prize. Atmosphere is calm and jovial.

LANGUAGE AND TONE

The storys tone is humorous , and highlights the themes in the story

as well as the irony and sarcasm in it.

The language employed by the author varies, and is sometimes

informal and at most other times, normal. Characters who speak in an informal style include the police constable, Angus McAllister and Lord Emsworth himself. This dashed thing doesnt work.- The word dashed is informal and depicts annoyance.

rummy- This word is also informal and means strange or odd.

McAllister talks in a typical Scottish accent which is illustrated in the story: Gurrul?, A didna say a wud. The constable talks colloquially too: I saw im , I was standin.

NARRATIVE STYLE AND STRUCTURE

The author writes in the third person omniscient viewpoint, mostly

describing Emsworths feelings and emotions but occasionally getting inside the minds of other characters too, revealing their thoughts too.
For example, Wodehouse informs readers of the things running inside

Freddies mind: When Emsworth finds out about Freddie and Niagaras relationship, the author writes that Freddie perceived that the information could no longer be withheld. This portrays that Wodehouse is writing knowing Freddies innermost feelings. He also writes from the park-keepers perspective, saying that he loved flowerbeds and saw in Emsworth a kindred soul . Also, he says that the park-keeper got wounded when he saw that other people had no time for flowers. Thus, Wodehouse explores the minds of other characters as well and puts down their feelings on paper.

NARRATIVE STYLE AND STRUCTURE

Stream of consciousness: This, in Emsworths case, is a continuous

process of his realisation about himself and the world around him, along with him finding that the beliefs that he has are actually on the contrary.
When Emsworth fires McAllister, always having it in his mind that he

can do very well without him and that McAllister needs him more than vice versa, the next day, the Lord realises that he is the one who craves a good gardener, and that he cant live without McAllister.
He finds that books should not be judged by their covers- What he

originally thinks of Niagara and her background is not true- he gets to know that she is in fact very well-off and educated.
He realises for once that he is not all there is in the world, and that

many people dont have the smallest idea of who he is.

NARRATIVE STYLE AND STRUCTURE

It comes to his notice that there are better people in the world than

him, kinder and more good-natured than him, McAllister for one. Even though he is fired by Emsworth, he comes to his help when he really needs it.
He realises that theres another side to every person- Gregory Parsloe-

Parsloe was a sportsman and gentleman, not the haughty man he had imagined him to be.
Thus, this stream of consciousness inculcates awareness in Emsworth

and opens his eyes.

PHASES OF THE STORY

Phase 1

The story opens in a castle on a sunny morning, where people are seen going about their normal daytime activities. The characters are introduced very briefly, but Emsworths general behaviour and nature becomes evident as the scene progresses. His strange habits are portrayed, along with his feelings towards Freddie. Emsworth is seen stalking Freddie using a microscope, and Freddies plans to wed a girl called Niagara are revealed. We get to know a bit about her background as well. This phase ends with McAllister, the gardener, being dismissed by Emsworth, and the Lords regrets for it.
Phase 2

This stage opens with Emsworths search for a new head-gardener, and later the search for McAllister again. Readers are taken to the bustling city of London, where Emsworth chances upon Freddie.

PHASES OF THE STORY

After talks about the pumpkin and cats, Freddie rushes off, leaving a note in his fathers hands, saying that he and Niagara are married. This phase ends here, with Emsworth shocked.
Phase 3

Emsworth travels on to Kensington Gardens, to look for McAllister. But, he gets caught by a constable for picking flowers, and a huge throng gathers. As he has forgotten his identity card, and no-one recognises him, he is stuck in a tricky situation. Luckily, McAllister comes to his rescue by identifying him. Later, Emsworth meets Mr Donaldson, Niagaras father, and talks with him quite a bit. The result is that Emsworth adapts to the idea of Freddie marrying Niagara. At the end of the story, McAllister comes back to Emsworth and he wins th prize for pumpkins at the Shrewsbury Show.

CLIMAX
Arising from the conflict of Emsworth disapproving of Freddies marriage to Niagara, and of his precious pumpkin not having anyone to take care of it, is the climax of the story. The tension heightens when Emsworth is held captive by the constable for the crime of picking flowers, a huge throng arrives and he realises that he has forgotten his identity card. This is the climax, arousing feelings of deep anxiety and tension. But, a turning-point is created when McAllister arrives at the scene and identifies Emsworth to be his previous employer. The tension lessens and everything goes uphill as the scene goes on, from his meeting with Donaldson, till things settle down and become normal again.

WORDS AND PHRASES OF INTEREST

An elderly leopard waiting for feeding-time- This portrays Emsworth as a leopard, and shows him to be highly suspicious of his son , watching him from afar, waiting to pounce on him and catch him in his mistakes. bellowed- This word is in a metaphorical use, and suggests that Emsworth made a sound like that of an ox or a bull, from the depths of his stomach. sorer than a gumboil- This comparison is really effective, as it provides an imagery to the reader. It is as if we can truly feel Emsworths soreness and hurt, as we can feel the gumboil. swayed like a sapling in the breeze- An example of imagery as well, this instigates us to really feel and see the movement of the weak sapling, blowing in the wind. Gregory Parsloe-Parsloe - A humorous made-up name, it gives us the impression of a man who is actually slow and lethargic!

WORDS AND PHRASES OF INTEREST

custodian of the Blandings Hope- A ridiculous way of saying the man

who looked after the pumpkin. The author is attempting to portray how Emsworth gave unnecessary importance to trivial things.
gambolled- This well-chosen word gives us a jovial and carefree

feeling. It depicts that Freddie is strolling along in a casual way.

Lord Emsworths eyes bulged- This gives us the visual imagery of his

eyes really protruding forward. The sound of the word bulged also suggests this.