Jeeves is from Brixton

[juliacarmen.livejournal.com]

I came across this bit of info in an essay by Guy Bolton, called "Working with Wodehouse." Bolton describes how he would write out long scenes for his musicals and give them to Wodehouse, who would turn them into pithy lyrics.

"In 'Leave it to Jeeves,' I had the famed 'gentleman's gentleman' speak of his youthful days unencumbered by the torturous misadventures of his employer, Bertie Wooster. As had so often happened, the bulk of the scene vanished and Jeeves expressed himself in song."

I view the future with concern,
On every side, at every turn
Disaster seems to stare one in the face
For Mr Wooster is, it's plain,
In what he calls the soup again
And liable to sink without a trace.
At times like these when on the verge
Of cataclysms, I've an urge
To seek a spot where life runs calm and slow
And to find release and peace at last
In the quiet haven where I passed
My happy childhood days so long ago.

In Brixton
In lovely Brixton
Which I long so to see,
Yearning
To be returning
To London S.E.
I feel my place is
In that oasis
Home of all that's brave and free
Where on each street
Are always found
Strong men with feet
Upon the ground
Where in each breast
As all attest
There's a heart of gold beneath the rest.
It's Brixton
My heart is fixed on
And it's there I would be.

Speaking of essays, here's a short-short one from "Thank You, Wodehouse," by J.H.C. Morris.

Comments

[chikkiboo.livejournal.com]

When they kick in his front door, how's Jeeves gonna come? With his hands on his head, or saying "Good afternoon, sir, would you care for a cup of lead?"

[pettyrevenge.livejournal.com]

*dies Laughing* Oh, genius.
Though I must say, the idea of Jeeves coming from anywhere that's not in the upper-circles is rather odd. It's like he was born a valet.

Dammit, now I want Deprived childhood! Jeeves fic!

[chikkiboo.livejournal.com]

And it must reference a character named Ivan.

[pettyrevenge.livejournal.com]

Forgot to add- I live near Brixton!
Well, in London S.E, anyway.
Really, REALLY, cannot wrap my brain around Jeeves living in the area I'm familiar with- now, then, or ever.

[chikkiboo.livejournal.com]

His father likely could have been a valet or butler for a gentleman in the City, but they lived in the working-class district rather than with his employer; not unusual for married servants, particularly if Jeeves' mother was housekeeper or cook or something for someone else's establishment. Thus Jeeves would have been raised for his position.

[chikkiboo.livejournal.com]

...I assume Brixton's working-class (at the time at least). I know very little about London, then or now, except for knowing the names of the places where the upper-class folk lived in the 1920s and 1930s.

[amethystaura.livejournal.com]

I'd love to add that Jeeves is most probably in his very early thirties, as Bertie might be in his very late twenties, so there might hardly be an age difference between them. Therefore, Jeeves still plenty of his youth before him to return to, nad thus needn't worry (though I pity him so!)

[emeraldreeve.livejournal.com]

Thanks for sharing!