Drinking to much?

[finmagik.livejournal.com]

I got a friend of mine readin the Jeeves & Wooster books. Any how we were talking this week. And she told me: "Don't you think Bertie drinks too much?"

I told her it was just the time period, everyone drank more back then.

But it got me thinking.

Do you guys think he drinks too much?

Comments

[living-to-read.livejournal.com]

Nope. As you said those were different times and Bertie never sounded addicted to me.

[finmagik.livejournal.com]

Naw, it'snot like he had a bottle of Brandy for breakfast.

[leaper182.livejournal.com]

It's kind of interesting, but from what I understand of British culture (I'm American) is that, on the whole, they tend to drink more than Americans do, so not only is it the time period, but it's also the culture as well. There's an episode ("Bertie Sets Sail", 3x1) where Bertie and Jeeves are on the deck of the ship, heading into Manhattan, and Jeeves mentions that Prohibition is going on in America, forcing the establishments to find ways to disguise liquor sales. Their take on it is really humorous. :D

[finmagik.livejournal.com]

Yes but the series is much different then the books.

[gaffsie.livejournal.com]

Isn't needing a pick-me-upper most mornings a sign of beginning alcoholism? Seriously, I know I've read that somewhere (but where?). However, those were different times, and it's not like Bertie never leaves his flat without a bottle of vodka. It's a bit like with James Bond. It wasn't until recently (the eighties, I think) that there were discussions of how were he a real person, he would be an alcoholic with lung cancer dying of AIDS.

Perhaps we're a bit too obsessed with health these days. Say what you will about Bertie and James Bond, but at least they took the time to enjoy life.

[finmagik.livejournal.com]

It's a bit like with James Bond. It wasn't until recently (the eighties, I think) that there were discussions of how were he a real person, he would be an alcoholic with lung cancer dying of AIDS.


AIDS? What about Syphilis and the Clap etc.

Now, I'm imagining some horrid fangirl writing Angst fics about it.

[gaffsie.livejournal.com]

Well, it was the eighties... They were rather preoccupied with AIDS and HIV back then. Naturally, when it comes to Jooster, it would have to be Syphilies, since even the most rabid fangirl would have a hard time writing clap-angst(although a sick part of me would like to see them try).

[finmagik.livejournal.com]

Naw, I mean a horrid angst fic about Berties being a drunkard and I dunno some Mary Sue or Jeeves saves him And they live happily ever after. Classic kinda Hurt/Comfort fic.

[gaffsie.livejournal.com]

Hah, ok. A small misunderstanding on my part then. :)

It's hard to imagine alcoholic!Bertie even briefly. Canon is much too innocent to lend itself to such angst easily. At least I hope so.

[cicerothewriter.livejournal.com]

I guess it depends on how "drink too much" is defined. I think that when someone gets a hangover, then they have drunk too much, but that does not necessarily mean that they are an alcoholic. Wooster does tend to indulge beyond the point of reason often (I'm thinking specifically of "The Mating Season" in which Wooster gets drunk with the son of the household to provide moral support), so alcoholism is possible. However that is not how I picture Wooster when I read the books. He just enjoys drinking.

[weaselwoman13.livejournal.com]

He drinks less than the average college student, from what I've seen around here! But he's said several times in the books that he's not one for going really over the top, and he can't stay out as late and drink as much as some of his younger friends. It's not like he's constantly drunk, after all. He spaces his snifters out pretty well most of the time, and just gets smashed at the occasional bachelor party. He drinks for social reasons and because he enjoys the stuff, not just in order to get drunk. So, nah, I don't think he drinks too much.

[gaffsie.livejournal.com]

OT, but my god that's a brilliant userpic. What caused Jeeves to finally flip?

[magegirl8.livejournal.com]

WHat? Oh...Oh.. I get it. No, Jeeves would never hurt his Bertie...


Haha, now IM imagining a rabid fangirl writing DOmesic sbuse Jooster angst... ahahaha ha ha ha.... I must be evil, but i find that really funny...

[gaffsie.livejournal.com]

When I saw that icon, my thoughts immediately went in that direction.

Bertie as the abused wife... I think we're on the track of something great here.

[weaselwoman13.livejournal.com]

That's exactly where they were supposed to go. ;)

[magegirl8.livejournal.com]

Berte: Aunt Daylia, he's beating on me again. He wants more sex than I feel like giving him.
A.Daylia: Now Bertie you young buffoon, don't complain - it's your duty in marriage. Just lie back and think of England. After downing a couple of shots of whiskey of course.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Are you a fan of Moomin Trolls? (im asking because of your username - a gaffsie - is a type of creature in moominland.^_^)

[weaselwoman13.livejournal.com]

Hee. I'm not sure. I'd have to write an angst!fic to find out.

"Give me the tie, sir," murmured Jeeves, an eerie glint in his intelligent eye.

"No, Jeeves, dash it! I'm putting my foot down! Wild horses could not take this tie away from me!" Bertie glanced fondly down at the neckwear, which was printed with bones and various breeds of dog, in his hand. "I think it has a certain whatsit about it, don't you know?"

"Sir, give me the tie."

"I said no, you blighter!" The gentleman's tone was playful, but because he was gazing at his favorite dog on the tie -- a small spaniel with its tongue hanging out -- he could not see that the expression on his valet's face was far from amused...

Oh, I can't even do it. Wodeangst makes my toes itch. XD

[gaffsie.livejournal.com]

Don't stop! That's some amazing angst right there. I can hardly type for crying so much .

Hmm, a continuation...

Jeeves whole demeanor suddenly grew cold, and for the first time Bertie was afraid. Had he gone too far?

"I'm sorry old chap, I didn't know it upset you so. Tell you what, eh? You can take the tie, I don't really need it..." he trailed off, uncertainty and fear shining in his eyes. It was too late though. The larger man closed in on him and grabbed his wrist, and the tie it was holding, tightly.

"I'm afraid I will have to teach you a lesson, sir," he calmly said. Bertie made an attempt to flee, but when he tried to jank his hand out of the valet's iron grasp, Jeeves raised his other arm and coldly struck him. Bertie fell to the floor in a quivering heap, the tie forgotten beside him.

"I do wish you wouldn't wrinkle your clothes in such a fashion," Jeeves said as he picked up the tie and left his master weeping on the floor of the bedroom.

Gah, I feel dirty now.

[weaselwoman13.livejournal.com]

I fear my salt tears shall corrode and short out the keyboard!

Bertie stared at the carpet later that evening as Jeeves dressed him for dinner, saying nothing. He flinched as Jeeves' hands flicked towards his face, and breathed a small sigh of relief as he realized Jeeves was only adjusting his bowtie. It had to be in that perfect butterfly shape. Or else.

"Er, thank you, Jeeves," Bertie said to the reflection of himself which he could see in the toes of his highly-polished shoes. He winced as he caught sight of his swoolen and blackened eye...whatever would he tell Aunt Dahlia?

[finmagik.livejournal.com]

You know we should put these fics up on FF.net as parodies of course.

[veronamay.livejournal.com]

I think he might've had a reckless time in his late teens/very early twenties (hence the theft of the policeman's helmet, and the naked bicycle riding, etc), but by the time we meet him in canon he's mellowed out a bit. He's usually thinking about a drink by midday or so, but he states at various times throughout the books that he doesn't kick over the traces like he used to, and he usually stops after a couple of drinks at a go, except in times of emotional distress, of course.

Even if he starts with a brandy at midday at the club, he's in bed before midnight most nights, and the only times he needs a pick-me-up/hangover cure is when he's been dragged out on the town (by the twins, for example) or if he's not had enough sleep. I think of Jeeves's "special" as a sort of twenties Red Bull. *g*

The post-war mood was very lighthearted and centred on enjoying life, remember, and Englishmen have always, always drunk like fish. It would've been more weird for Bertie not to have a drink before five - look at everyone's opinion of Gussie Fink-Nottle, or Wilmot ("The Unbidden Guest"). I will agree that Bertie goes through most of his afternoons/evenings in a mild state of intoxication, but I wouldn't say he has a "drinking problem" as we'd define it today.

[weaselwoman13.livejournal.com]

Naked bicycle riding?! Bertie?! I must have missed that part in whatever book he refers to it in! How delightful!

[veronamay.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes indeedy. Tuppy lets that cat out of its bag in "Right Ho, Jeeves":

"That's right," said Tuppy. "Bertie has always been a great cyclist. I remember at Oxford he used to take all is clothes off on bump-supper nights and ride around the quad, singing comic songs. Jolly fast he used to go too."

Bet Tuppy was paying awfully close attention. To the songs, of course. ;)

[weaselwoman13.livejournal.com]

Naked college!Bertie arse on a bicycle seat...the thought is at once horrific, amusing, and faintly attractive!

[shezan.livejournal.com]

It's the period. And England.