The Idle Rich

Much of The Inimitable Jeeves takes place in the world of the Idle Rich (Idle Rich is even a phrase used several times in the book). Much of the humor of the book is derived because of the author's parody of this class. Bertie, Bingo, and other members of the Idle Rich are disconnected from the reality the reader is accustomed to. They certainly have a different culture - jet setting from one fabulous locale to another, without any financial worries and barely a care in the world. They also have different values - Bertie's goal is to remain unencumbered by any responsibility whatsoever. The Idle Rich are depicted as essentially narcissistic, out of touch, "loony" (a phrase used several times), dim-witted, and childlike. It is this exaggeration of a stereotype of the wealthy that author Wodehouse uses to comic effect.

Members of the Idle Rich...