Elements of Comedy in Jeeves

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The analysis is based on the first episode of season 1: In court after the boat race (or Jeeves’ arrival). The distinguishing element of Wooster and Jeeves which makes it so funny is the stark irony of the servant (Jeeves) being in control of the master (Wooster). This is visually illustrated to us in the form of Jeeves’ and Wooster’s height. Jeeves is taller than Wooster, just like how his impressive bank of knowledge is superior over Wooster’s. Characteristically, Bertie’s muddle-headedness and childlike disposition is not in line with his position as the employer, while Jeeves’ supremacy over Bertie in terms of savoir faire and mannered reserve is ironic to his role of being the manservant. The master is usually the one who is cool and collected with his head above all the hassle and excitement but it is the unflappable Jeeves, the employee, who plays the master in this manner. Wooster on the other hand, behaves very much like a child, allowing himself to get carried away in the otherwise formal settings of high society. This is clearly depicted to us by how Bertie would excitedly prattle on about otherwise uninteresting things while Jeeves would nonchalantly, and almost sarcastically, go ‘indeed, sir’ with a raised eyebrow and slight smile. There are also imageries in this episode which reinforce this, an example is the shot of Bertie Wooster soaking in his bathtub with a rubber duckie floating beside him, while Jeeves attends to other chores in the bathroom. This efficiently portrays the valet Jeeves as a mother taking care of her addlebrained child. What makes Wooster and Jeeves so funny is that Bertie Wooster does not seem to be aware of his character ‘deficiencies’ – namely his foppish density. If he were aware of his ignorance and clumsiness, then it is funny that he chooses not to admit it. Aunt Agatha told Bertie that ‘you want someone strong,
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