The Clicking of Cuthbert
The story revolves around Cuthbert Banks, an unassuming individual who is a skilled golfer. He attends a literary gathering at Mrs. Smethurst's house, where he meets Vladimir Brusiloff, a famous Russian thinker and celebrity. The evening takes an unexpected turn when Vladimir mistakes Cuthbert for Abe Mitchell, a renowned golfer, and showers him with praise and admiration. As the night progresses, Cuthbert finds himself at the center of attention, and his modesty is gradually worn down by Vladimir's enthusiasm. Meanwhile, Adeline, who had been infatuated with Raymond Parsloe Devine, a celebrated author, begins to see Cuthbert in a new light after witnessing Vladimir's admiration for him. The story takes a romantic turn when Adeline asks to join Cuthbert and Vladimir on their golf outing, and he accepts. The narrative concludes with the implication that Cuthbert and Adeline will get married, and their son will be named after Abe Mitchell, a nod to the unexpected twist of events that brought them together. The story is a humorous commentary on social class and the way people perceive others based on superficial appearances. It also highlights the importance of humility and the value of being true to oneself. The narrative is laced with witty dialogue and clever wordplay, making it an entertaining read.
By P. G. Wodehouse · First published 1928 · Genre: Humor, Sports literature, Short Stories · 6,309 words
First lines
The young man came into the smoking-room of the clubhouse, and flung his bag with a clatter on the floor. He sank moodily into an armchair and pressed the bell.
"Waiter! "
What this Textopian page supports
The Clicking of Cuthbert is listed on Textopian as a novella by P. G. Wodehouse, dated 1928 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: P. G. Wodehouse
- Date: 1928 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Humor, Sports literature, Short Stories, Satire
- Length: 6,309 words
- Structure: 1 section, 161 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Clicking of Cuthbert by P. G. Wodehouse
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Clicking of Cuthbert?
- How does this novella by P. G. Wodehouse fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Humor first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Heart Of A Goof by P. G. Wodehouse
- The Magic Plus Fours by P. G. Wodehouse
- Something To Worry About by P. G. Wodehouse
- Ordeal By Golf by P. G. Wodehouse
- The Rummy Affair Of Old Biffy by P. G. Wodehouse
- The Rough Stuff by P. G. Wodehouse
Genres
- Humor — P. G. Wodehouse is known for his wit and humor, and 'The Clicking of Cuthbert' is no exception. The situational and language-driven humor are its main genre-defining components.
- Sports literature — The book depicts characters involved in the game of golf, their rivalries, and the drama associated with it, which falls under the genre of sports literature.
- Short Stories — 'The Clicking of Cuthbert' is a collection of 10 short stories, centered around golf, making it part of the short stories genre.
- Satire — The book is a lighthearted critique of golf's popularity and the obsession of those involved in the sport, which makes it satirical.
Tags
humor · comedy · short stories · British literature · satire · golf · upper class · social commentary · character-driven · lighthearted · witty · romance