P G Wodehouse
P G Wodehouse: The Master of Wit and Satire
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Pelham Grenville Wodehouse was born on October 15, 1881, in Guildford, Surrey, England. He is commonly known as P.G. Wodehouse or PGW.
Birth and Death Dates
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October 15, 1881 – February 14, 1975
Nationality and Profession(s)
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English author of novels, short stories, plays, and essays. His work often falls under the genre of comedy, satire, and farce.
Early Life and Background
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Wodehouse's childhood was marked by a love for sports, particularly cricket, and a talent for writing. He attended Rugby School in Warwickshire before moving to the University College, Oxford. However, he left university without completing his degree due to poor health. This decision would later influence his writing style, often poking fun at the British class system.
Wodehouse's early life was also shaped by his relationships with his family and friends. His father, Henry Ernest Wodehouse, was a British colonial administrator who served in India. PGW's love for adventure and escapism was likely influenced by his father's stories of colonial life.
Major Accomplishments
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- The Inimitable Jeeves series: This collection of novels and short stories follows the misadventures of Bertie Wooster, a wealthy young man, and his trusted valet, Jeeves. The series is considered one of Wodehouse's greatest works and has been adapted into numerous stage plays and films.
- The Blandings Castle series: This series of novels revolves around the lives of Lord Emsworth, a lovable but dim-witted aristocrat, and his relatives at Blandings Castle. The series showcases Wodehouse's mastery of comedic satire.
Notable Works or Actions
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Some notable works include:
Something Fresh (1915)
The Code of the Woosters (1938)
* Carry On, Jeeves (1925)
In addition to his literary achievements, Wodehouse was known for his wit and charm. He often performed on stage in the early 20th century, showcasing his comedic talents.
Impact and Legacy
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Wodehouse's work has had a lasting impact on literature and popular culture. His unique blend of satire, farce, and comedy has influenced generations of writers, including Stephen Fry and Douglas Adams. The character of Jeeves, in particular, has become an iconic figure in British literature.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Wodehouse's wit and mastery of language have made his quotes and lines memorable. His work often pokes fun at the conventions of society, making him a beloved author among those who appreciate satire and comedic writing.
In conclusion, P.G. Wodehouse was a British author known for his comedic novels, short stories, plays, and essays. His love for sports, talent for writing, and relationships with family and friends shaped his life and work. The Inimitable Jeeves series and Blandings Castle series are considered among his greatest works, showcasing his mastery of satire and comedy.
Quotes by P G Wodehouse
P G Wodehouse's insights on:
London late at night -- or even in the daytime, for that matter -- is no place for a man in scarlet tights.
He shimmered out, and I sat up in bed with that rather unpleasant feeling you get sometimes that you're going to die in about five minutes.
Roderick Spode is the founder of the Saviours of Britain, a fascist organisation better know as the 'Black Shorts'...When you say 'shorts' mean 'shirts', of course.No. By the time Spode formed his association, there were no shirts left. He and his adherents wear black shorts.Footer bags, you mean?Yes.How perfectly foul.
At that moment the gong sounded, and the genial host came tumbling downstairs like the delivery of a ton of coals.
We run to height a bit in our family, and there's about five-foot-nine of Aunt Agatha, topped off with a beaky nose, an eagle eye, and a lot of grey hair, and the general effect is pretty formidable. Anyway, it never even occurred to me for a moment to give her the miss-in-baulk on this occasion. If she said I must go to Roville, it was all over except buying the tickets.
Mr Wooster, I am not ashamed to say that the tears came into my eyes as I listened to them. It amazes me that a man as young as you can have been able to plumb human nature so surely to its depths; to play with so unerring a hand on the quivering heart-strings of your reader; to write novels so true, so human, so moving, so vital!""Oh, it's just a knack," I said.
I left him thinking it over. If I were a bookie, I should feel justified in offering a hundred to eight against.""You can't have approached him properly. I might have known you would muck it up," said young Bingo. Which, considering what I had been through for his sake, struck me as a good bit sharper than the serpent's tooth.
Bar a weekly wrestle with the "Pink 'Un" and an occasional dip into the form book I'm not much of a lad for reading, and my sufferings as I tackled The Woman (curse her!) Who Braved All were pretty fearful.
How would this do you, Bingo?" I said at length. "A few plovers' eggs to weigh in with, a cup of soup, a touch of cold salmon, some cold curry, and a splash of gooseberry tart and cream with a bite of cheese to finish?"I don't know that I had expected the man actually to scream with delight, though I had picked the items from my knowledge of his pet dishes, but I had expected him to say something.