Tag: english
Some notes on The Inimitable Jeeves: Pearls Means Tears
This is probably the best or most riveting and rewarding short or chapter I have read of Jeeves. The reader probably should read the short story beforehand to follow or appreciate the following notes.
For one, gratifying slap of poetic justice in the face of overwhelming arrogance and prejudice.
Secondly, one couldn’t but wonder how foolish and short-sighted the main character and his aunt was simply from the conversations. It was like they were hard of learning and unlikely to be wiser even after. Though in retrospection, how many do you know well in person had never been scammed, erred, or mistrusted others? How many learned the first time and never repeat the same fallacy and mistake?
Even the proverb ‘Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me’ does not do justice to this level of remarkable gullibility. At some point in the series, one would have expected the characters to learn quickly but alas, mirroring ignorant people we encounter in everyday life, no. Then again, who am I to judge when I, too have fallen prey to lies and frauds before.
Thirdly and most importantly, readers and authors alike should benefit from learning the deceptions and schemes of scammers and the unscrupulous, even then, it will still not be enough to deter and detect the myriads of unscrupulous schemes, however, this short story does depict the craftiness and vile deeds of some people. I should wonder some of this fiction is rooted firmly in the author’s factual experience or knowledge.
Test for your own judicious judgment: An exercise to avoid man-made pitfalls.
When did a red flag first go off while you were reading the story?
When does the pair set a tight deadline for money? The number of coincidences in the story told by the criminal? Shouldn’t the main character check out Colonel Musgrave and the gambling tables first? Shouldn’t the main character check out the background of the pair in all the days they were hanging out with Jeeves or otherwise? When the pair appear unexpectedly at the door? When the main character noticed the pair seemed to consistently keep their presence around him and without any compelling reason or clear motive? When the main character was sent to come by telegram without reason? Did it occur to you that the main character was still susceptible to being ripped off even while wary of the pair earlier on? Was the story hard to swallow when the criminal was suddenly relating his gambling predicament?
The earlier and more red flags the better. Do not let it come to pass as the main character and still argued and verbally berating Jeeves (or someone) for soundly advising him against.
Note: I do sincerely hope readers who do not give rise to aversion and instead admiration and support for immoral or cruel thoughts and deeds have a wholesome change of heart for theirs and others’ sake.
Weakness in the plot?
Stealing, from thieves or otherwise, is not something any noble person would ever advocate, clever or not.
I believe or hope the purpose of reading Jeeves is not only to learn and protect the readers but also not become a fraudster or schemer.
To kindness and honesty.
This is part 8 of the Jeeves series quiz (playlist here).
