The Fellowship of the Ring - Part 2

I have finally completed part two of my challenge!

Question: Is it possible to shorten down "The Fellowship of the Ring" to 1000 words? 

Answer: Hmmm, not really but you do get the main idea and it was a workout for my brain.

Writing this has brought back very fond memories of being completely obsessed with Lord of the Rings when I was in High School. While many other girls my age were reading magazines, I was studying the finer details of the lineage of Rohirric kings. So interesting!

At the end I have included one of my favourite Boromir videos. I know not everyone likes Boromir, he is a complex character, but I think he is fantastic! I am starting to tear up already. 

Part Two-

The Fellowship leaves Rivendell.

They travel many days over difficult country.

Crebain, evil crows of Sauron follow them.

Everyone worries about the crows except Pippin who worries about not eating hot food.

Gandalf and Aragon decide to lead them over the Mountain Caradhras.

The mountain dislikes them tramping over it and the Fellowship choose to retreat off the mountain rather than suffer hypothermia.

They must find another route below the mountain.

Gimli is excited about visiting the Dwarves in the mines of Moria.

Everyone else feels a nameless dread.

Finally there is no choice, travel through Moria or be eaten by approaching Wargs.

They arrive at the door but Gandalf has forgotten the password.

General groans are heard.

Gandalf remembers the password.

They dash in just before the doors are stuck shut.

The mines are empty and dark.

Gandalf pretends he knows where he is going.

Frodo thinks he is being followed.

Everyone is on tenterhooks, where are the dwarves?

They find one.

Or at least his tomb, Balin Lord of Moria is dead.

Not a good sign.

Gandalf finds a helpful diary.

The last entry reads “We cannot get out ...drums in the deep... they are coming”.

“Well now I feel more cheerful” says no one.

Suddenly they hear drums.

“They are coming!” says Legolas.

“We cannot get out” says Gimli.

Déjà vu.

Suddenly they are surrounded by Orcs, a Cave Troll and a fiery demon Balrog.

The Fellowship slash and crash their way to the exit, the Bridge of Khazad-dum.

They all make it to safety except Gandalf who takes a lone stand against the Balrog.

“You cannot pass!” cries Gandalf and the fighting duo fall into the abyss.

Aragon declares he will lead as Gandalf wanted and they head towards the Elvish land Lothlorien.

Orcs loiter on the border.

The Elves lead the Fellowship deep into Lothlorien.

Gimli is unsettled by his lingering dislike of Elves.

The Fellowship meets the elvish leaders Celeborn and Galadriel.

They share their story and everyone mourns the loss of Gandalf.

Everyone except Boromir thinks Galadriel is wise and beautiful.

Sam and Frodo peek into Galadriel’s magic mirror and glimpse the world’s possible futures.

They become even more intimidated of their dangerous trip.

“Will you take the ring?” asks Frodo to Galadriel.

“No, say Galadriel, “I would turn into a beautiful but evil-beyond-words dictator”.

It’s time for the Fellowship to leave and Galadriel gives them presents.

The Fellowship is divided about the route.

Should they focus solely on destroying the ring, or stop in at Minas Tirith to help Boromir save his kingdom?

Boromir worries his people are being forgotten.  

They travel by river and are aware of being followed.

Boromir makes his decision, “I will not desert my friends in the Fellowship”.

Frodo and Boromir start to feel the evil effects of the Ring.

Aragon is worried they are conspicuous as a group.

Boromir gets Frodo alone and tries to steal the Ring.

Frodo runs.

Boromir is mortified.

Frodo decides to leave and go it alone.

“Not without me!” says Sam.

The Fellowship is broken. 

Pessimism

I have been doing some deep thinking today.

It was all set off this morning when I was listening to poetry while doing exercise. Poetry and exercise may seem an odd combination to most people but it is just as good as anyway of keeping your mind off the effort involved. Also I can compare my situation to that of the characters in the poems. To me ten more minutes of exercise may seem impossible but it's not like I'm the little daughter of the Sea Captain in the poem "The Wreck of the Hesperus" about to face a fate "on the reef of Norman's Woe!". It's good to keep things in perspective. 

Another poem I heard this morning which was a new one for me was called "The Pessimist" by Benjamin Franklin King Jr. I was very surprised to find out that King was actually writing in the 19th Century as this poem seemed so very modern to me. King is known for his satire and humor in writing so I wonder if he really believed in the darkness of this poem or if it satirical. Hmmmm... something else to ponder.
Here it is:

The Pessimist 

Nothing to do but work,

Nothing to eat but food,

Nothing to wear but clothes

To keep one from going nude.

Nothing to breathe but air

Quick as a flash ‘t is gone;

Nowhere to fall but off,

Nowhere to stand but on.

Nothing to comb but hair,

Nowhere to sleep but in bed,

Nothing to weep but tears,

Nothing to bury but dead.

Nothing to sing but songs,

Ah, well, alas! alack!

Nowhere to go but out,

Nowhere to come but back.

Nothing to see but sights,

Nothing to quench but thirst,

Nothing to have but what we’ve got;

Thus thro’ life we are cursed.

Nothing to strike but a gait;

Everything moves that goes.

Nothing at all but common sense

Can ever withstand these woes.

-King

I find it hard to have sympathy for the speaker in this poem. They seems so very apathetic and blasé. It is as if they are sitting back and pronouncing judgement on life without really making an effort to enjoy it. Get a wriggle on and stop complaining! Maybe life is dull because you are choosing to accept it that way.

Thinking about pessimism made me compare it to despair. This poem is obviously about
pessimism over despair as we can tell that from the title but am I being fair in being frustrated
by the speakers opinion? Is the speaker really having a bad time and should I feel compassionate
towards them? I am going to separate pessimism and despair and say that pessimism is being overly upset about a situation that could be changed, while despair is being overly upset about a situation that cannot be changed. I think the speaker in this poem has the ability to change their mindset. That being said there is a fine line between emotions and it can't always be cut and dried to say that one emotion is being felt without another mixed in with it.

I have collected some excerpts of literary characters either being pessimistic or talking about pessimism. But are they being pessimistic or is some other feeling?? so much greyness! but I really enjoyed coming up with this list.


I. Eeyore- Winne-the-Pooh

""Good Morning, Eeyore," said Pooh.
"Good morning, Pooh Bear," said Eeyore gloomily.
"If it is a good morning," he said. "Which I doubt," said he.
"Why, what's the matter?"
"Nothing, Pooh Bear, nothing. We can't all, and some of us don't. That's all there is to it.""
-A. A. Milne. 

II. Puddleglum- The Silver Chair

""I'm trying to catch a few eels to make an eel stew for your dinner," said Puddleglum. "Though I shouldn't wonder if I don't get any. And you won't like them much if I do."
"Why not?" asked Scrubb.
"Why it's not in reason that you should like our sort of victuals, though I've no doubt you'll put a bold face on it. All the same, while I am a catching of them, if you two could try to light the fire - no harm trying-! The wood's behind the wigwam. It may be wet. You could light it inside the wigwam, and then we'd get all the smoke in our eyes. Or you could light it outside, and then the rain would come and put it out. Here's my tinder-box. You won't know how to use it, I expect.""
- C.S. Lewis


III. Saruman - The Fellowship of the Ring

Saruman: The hour is later than you think. Sauron's forces are already moving. The Nine have left Minas Morgul.
Gandalf: The Nine?
Saruman: They crossed the River Isen on Midsummer's Eve, disguised as riders in black.
Gandalf: They've reached the Shire?

Saruman: They will find the Ring, and kill the one who carries it. 

Gandalf: Frodo-

Saruman: You did not seriously think that a hobbit could contend with the will of Sauron, there are none that can.
Saruman: Against the power of Mordor there can be no victory.
Saruman: We must join with Him, Gandalf. We must join with Sauron. It would be wise, my friend.
Gandalf: Tell me, "friend", when did Saruman the Wise abandon reason for madness? 

IV. Buzz Lightyear - Toy Story

V. Gussie Finknotle- Right Ho, Jeeves

""If there's one thing in the world I can't stand," proceeded Gussie, "It's a pessimist. Be optimists, boys.
You all know the difference between an optimist and a pessimist"...
"Now, there," boomed Gussie, continuing to point, "is an instance of what I mean. Boys and ladies and gentlemen, take a good look at that object standing up there at the back-- morning coat, trousers as worn, quiet grey tie, and carnation in buttonhole-- you can't miss him. Bertie Wooster, that is, and as foul a pessimist as ever bit a tiger. I tell you I despise that man, And why do I despise him? Because, boys and ladies and gentlemen, he is a pessimist. His attitude is defeatist. When I told him I was going to address you this afternoon, he tried to dissuade me. And do you know why he tried to dissuade me? Because he said my trousers would split up the back."

The cheers that greeted this were the loudest yet. Anything about splitting rousers went straight to the simple hearts of the young scholars of Market Snodsbury Grammar School."
-P. G. Wodehouse

You decide whether they are all being pessimists. I think I'm stretching it a bit far for Buzz and Saruman but who doesn't love a reason to watch more Toy Story and Lord of the Rings!

Totally Weird, Insane Rip-off Plus

Teen Power Inc.

- Emily Rodda

Since turning 24 a few months ago I have been asked three times what grade I am in at school.

I have decided to take this as a compliment but it still feels very strange. I don't think I look seven years younger then my age and at none of these occasions was I acting, I think, particularly immaturely. Granted once I had just walked the length of a crowded room with a dirty plastic plate balanced on my head but in context my actions were completely reasonable. I was declared a hero and everyone eyed me with looks of marked appreciation until someone noticed that new nibbles had arrived on the table. Moving on from the nibbles though I have decided my cheerful naivety must be the cause and I make concentrated efforts to seem like a powerful entrepreneurial women when speaking to my student's parents. 

However there are positives that come with looking younger and one of them that I happily cash in on is not looking out of place in the young adults section of the library. I'm living on the wild side! I really like some young adult books. Not the paranormal ones about vampires and creatures of the dead that leave you as an emotional hormonal wreck with fried brain cells but books that have a reasonable story line and are well written.

One of my favorite series of books in late primary and early high school was the 'Teen Power Inc.' series by Emily Rodda. This series is about six normal Australian high school friends who inadvertently solve mysteries through their odd job business. Here are my five reasons why these are quality books.

1. The books have six main characters which means the series doesn't become boring as there can be a different character to focus on through the books.

2. The books portray fairly normal 90's teenagers without making them too saintly or too lecherous. They focus on their personalities rather than their love lives. Their flawed, realistic personalities make them personable and likable. You find yourself working out which character you most resemble or wish you did. Team Tom!

3. These books are exciting! In lots of them the Teen Power Inc members almost die through various sticky situations and my sisters and I would fight to be the one to read them first. 

4. The author Emily Rodda is not a poor writer who has resigned herself to young adult fiction. She is a good writer who has chosen to make more simplistic books interesting and well constructed. 

5. These are books that I will remember reading right through my life and not something that I will forget tomorrow  Exciting? yes, realistic? yes, funny? yes, mysterious? yes, awesome? yes, easy to read? yes, disturbing? no, embarrassing? no.

Also finally because you know you want to...Which Teen Power Inc Character are you?

"We took ages to work out what to put in the ad, and especially what to call ourselves. Nick suggested a name made up of initials, but when Tom started getting silly and suggesting things like TWIRP (Totally Weird, Insane Rip-off Plus) and BUMS (Brainy, Useful, Muscly Stars) he went off the idea.

In the end we settled on Teen Power after all."

The Fellowship of the Ring in under 1000 words! Part 1

I love the Lord of the Rings trilogy! The books, the movie, J.R.R. Tolkien, everything, it is quality enjoyment for one and all. So I decided to challenge myself, can I retell each book of the trilogy in under a thousand words? Originally, I was going to limit myself to less than five hundred but I have realised how ridiculous that would be. 

This is part 1 of the Fellowship of the Ring and so far I have used 530ish words and have only got up to the forming of the fellowship. This is so hard! Let us all be eternally grateful that what follows is not the only copy of the story. 

Part 1

Bilbo the adventurous rebel Hobbit has a birthday party.

Everyone turns up.

Gandalf wielding fun fireworks arrives.

Bilbo skips the party early to holiday with the Elves.

Gandalf convinces Bilbo to leave his special ring with his nephew Frodo. Bilbo is not too pleased.

Everyone leaves.

Rumours of unrest are heard.

Gandalf brings Frodo news of the ring.

Frodo and Gandalf freak out; it’s the one ring of power!

Evil Sauron’s spirit lives on through the Ring. He needs it to gain full power again.

Gandalf worries about proximity of Ring to Hobbiton.

“Let’s take it to the elves” says Gandalf.

Frodo and gardening pal Sam head off to the Elves at Rivendell.

Sauron’s black riders hunt the travelling Hobbits who now number four.

The Hobbits travel into the old forest, mistake; the trees come to life and attack them.

Old Tom Bombadil saves them by singing to the trees.

Tom and friend Goldberry look after Hobbits.

Everyone sings a lot and Tom fills the Hobbits in on some history.

Hobbits leave Tom and arrive at prearranged meeting point for Gandalf at the human village Bree.

Gandalf is a no show and everyone else seems sus.

A tall dark stranger called Strider takes Hobbits aside.

‘You are being really conspicuous’ says Strider. ‘You know the black riders are hunting you right?’

Strider offers to help with travel woes.

Hobbits slit eyes at Strider.

Hobbits receive an old note from Gandalf, ‘actually, also, trust this guy Strider’.

‘Fair enough’ says Frodo.

Hobbits and Strider keep travelling to Rivendell.

The black riders spring them and Frodo gets stabbed with cursed sword.

Frodo teetters on the brink of undead-ness.

The travelling troupe rush faster to Rivendell and medical sanctuary.

An elf called Glorfindel joins them and gallops Frodo to Rivendell followed close behind by Black riders.

Frodo yells at the riders.

Suddenly the black riders are swept away in a strange water current.

Frodo wakes up somewhat healed to find himself at Rivendell with Gandalf.

Everyone gathers at a feast including Bilbo.

Bilbo goes a bit crazy when he sees the ring so Frodo tucks it away.

Elrond, head of Rivendell calls a council and powerful Dwarves, Elves and Humans turn up.

The history of the Ring is told.

Gandalf shares that the powerful wizard Saruman now is on Sauron’s side.

‘Basically, the ring can’t stay in Rivendell, it’s too evil and powerful’ says Elrond. ‘Let’s brainstorm our options’.

Some want to destroy the Ring there and then.

‘Lol, can’t be done’ says Elrond.

Some want to use the Ring for good.

Elrond smirks, the Ring will corrupt anyone who has it so that idea is also scrapped.

The council looks for volunteers to carry the highly powerful, highly corruptive ring deep into enemy land to the only place it can be destroyed Mount Doom.

There is general shuffling of feet.

‘For crying out loud, I will’ says Frodo.

Frodo is joined on the trip by Hobbit chums Sam, Merry and Pippin. Also coming along are Gandalf, an Elf called Legolas, a Dwarf called Gimli, and two men  Boromir and Aragon who was actually Strider.

They give themselves the team name ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’.

Fantastic Poetry #1

Another literary thing I love is poetry. I'm not a big fan of modern poetry that is all blank verse and weirdness but if you go back in history to find poetry from the Romantic and Victorian eras, to me there is nothing quite like it. As a musician I love the music of poetry how it can flow so naturally with a beautiful sense of pulse. Here below is a poem by Letitia Elizabeth Landon, a fairly scandalous poetess from Victorian times. I like how this poem reminds me of poems like 'The Lady of Shalott' but this one has a twist and a bit of a jibe at the melodramatic view of undying love and beauty. 

Poetry is best enjoyed when read aloud so I dare you to do it! You know you want to. Even if you normally hate poetry or are right now sitting in a highly populated area, just sprout forth. It's good to have people think you are insane every once in a while!

The Proud Ladye

Oh, what could the ladye’s beauty match,

              If it were not the ladye’s pride?

            An hundred knights from far and near

              Woo’d at that ladye’s side.

            The rose of the summer slept on her cheek,

              It’s lily upon her breast,

            And her eye shone forth like the glorious star

              That rises the first in the west.

There were some that woo’d for her land and gold,

  And some for her noble name,

And more that woo’d for her loveliness;

  But her answer was still the same.

“There is a steep and lofty wall,

  Where my warders trembling stand;

He who at speed shall ride round its height,

  For him shall be my hand.”

Many turn’d away from the deed,

  The hope of their wooing o’er;

But many a young knight mounted the steed

  He never mounted more.

At last there came a youthful knight,

  From a strange and far countrie,

The steed that he rode was white as the foam

  Upon a stormy sea.

And she who had scorn’d the name of love,

Now bow’d before its might,

And the ladye grew meek as if disdain

  Were not made for that stranger knight.

She sought at first to steal his soul

  By dance, song, and festival;

At length on bended knee she pray’d

  He would not ride the wall.

But gaily the young knight laugh’d at her fears,

  And flung him on his steed,—

There was not a saint in the calendar

  That she pray’d not to in her need.

She dar’d not raise her eyes to see

  If heaven had granted her prayer,

Till she heard a light step bound to her side,—

  The gallant knight stood there!

And took the ladye Adeline

  From her hair a jewell’d band,

Bu the knight repell’d the offer’d gift,

  And turn’d from the offer’d hand.

“And deemest thou that I dared this deed,

  Ladye, for love of thee?

The honour that guides the soldier’s lance

  Is mistress enough for me.

“Enough for me to ride the ring,

  The victor’s crown to wear;

But not in honour of the eyes

Of any ladye there.

“I had a brother whom I lost

  Through thy proud crueltie,

And far more was to me his love,

  Than woman’s love can be.

“I came to triumph o’er the pride

  Through which that brother fell,

I laugh to scorn thy love and thee,

  And now, proud dame, farewell!”

And from that hour the ladye pined,

  For love was in her heart,

And on her slumber there came dreams

  She could not bid depart.

Her eye lost all its starry light,

  Her cheek grew wan and pale,

            Till she hid her faded loveliness

  Beneath the sacred veil.

And she cut off her long dark hair,

  And bade the world farewell,

And she now dwells a veiled nun

In Saint Marie’s cell.

                                                1825

Ordinary Kate

Kate Rider
- Hester Burton

It is 1646 and England is in the middle of the Civil War between King Charles the First and Oliver Cromwell leader of the Parliamentarian army. Kate Rider is the twelve year old daughter of a middle class farmer away at war against the king and she couldn't feel more insignificant and ordinary. It is not that she sees herself as lowly but that she realises what seems to her the smallness of her influence and importance. The Rider is a family of strong willed, opinionated people and Kate's placidity and child like attitude infuriates her mother, brother Adam and sister Priscilla. The only member of her family that Kate really feels she relates to is her brother Ralph who has had to go sea leaving Kate feeling lost at home.

At the beginning of the story Kate is convinced in her views that her father is a hero and that the Parliamentarians are fighting for what is right. However, her foundations are rocked by opposition that comes right from the heart of their family when Adam reveals his Royalist loyalties. The short period of peace in the war and the return of Kate's father in 1647 does not bring peace to the Rider family. Adam simmers with indignation for the King while his father reels in a sense of betrayal. Kate struggles to balance her love for her gentle father with the awe she has always held for her prickly brother. Soon afterwards Adam runs away and makes an unwise marriage to Kate's best friend and their penniless neighbor Tamsin. He and Tamsin are determined to be independent and they hide themselves away in a nearby city leaving two troubled families behind them. Things only grow worse however with a new outbreak of war in 1648 which will for the first time pit the father and son against each other in battle. The final crisis arises when Kate, Adam and Tamsin are trapped in the siege of the Royalist defended city Colchester.

It can be easy to hate a distant enemy. It can be easy to absolutely despise the person who is putting your loved ones at risk.  If there is no real connection with the enemy, no background story or face that springs to mind, blame and loathing can sprout up like a rampant weed. It is not so easy though, when the enemy is your brother, your best friend and their helpless baby. Civil War tears the strongest ties apart as families rip away and turn on each other. Loyalties are destroyed and no matter the outcome there will always be loss and defeat.

By the end of this book Kate without evening noticing the change, through her quietness and courage has become a stalwart of the family. Her love for her family on both sides is focal in the final rebuilding of the family.

I think Hester Burton is a fantastic author because she gives such a personal, revealing view into history by showing events through the eyes of people from the masses rather than through the key movers of the time. Through her books you can see how history effected so many people in such large ways. Kate isn't an important person in history and in this book she has a very small circle of movement and power but she is someone a reader is able to relate to and history becomes real in seeing it through her eyes.


"He [Adam] saw it all she thought. He saw how terrible it was for their father to be out there on Lexden Heath in arms against his son.
'Why, Kate? Why did he go? He must have known that I should be with Colonel Lucas?'
'Because he had to fight for what he thought was right,' she replied bleakly. 
'And so must I, Kate.'
Gone was the pride and exultation of war.
'And so must I,' he said again,
The words were wrung from him in agony. 
She ached for him.
'I think Father understands,' she murmured.
'And Mother? And Ralph?'
She did not know. But that Adam should care what they thought: that Adam torn between his loyalty to the King and his love of his family, should feel so guilty and lost, pulled at her heart. She sat on in the shadows at his side without speaking, overwhelmed with pity."

Bertie

"Jeeves in the Morning"
P.G.Wodehouse

In Ancient History at school I had to write a 500 word essay on whether Alexander the Great had the right to claim that he was 'Great'. Did he just get away with it because he could wipe out your nation if you so much as snickered at him or did he really deserve it? I thought this was pretty deep stuff and I felt very wise as I pondered what made someone 'great'.

Since then I have wanted to write this massive work comparing and contrasting well known or not well known people from all different periods of time and walks of life to see what exactly made greatness. My history obsession really comes out at times like this and I get all excited when I think of whom I would include in my list. So many options! So much discovery! So many factors! But there is one person at least who I can immediately put my 'Charise's Seal of Greatness' on right from the beginning and his name is Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse.

P.G. Wodehouse in my opinion vies for the title of best comedy author EVER. Strong words I know but let me tell you about one of his novels, "Jeeves in the Morning".

Character List:

Bertie Wooster- a foppish young man of leisure. He attempts to help his friends out of sticky situations but generally only make them stickier. Bertie is very emotionally affected by the situations he gets himself into. He has a bad habit of getting himself engaged to difficult women.

Jeeves- Bertie's valet. He spends much of his time freeing the young master from terrible scrapes. Jeeves is the perfect servant always giving a sense of calm. It is a commonly held belief that Jeeves knows everything and that the brilliance of his brain is down to the eating of fish.

Florence Craye- a strong minded female authoress who enjoys molding men she thinks are weak minded by making them read improving books. She is engaged to Stilton Chessewright but their relationship is rocky at the best of times. She used to be engaged to Bertie.

Aunt Agatha- Bertie's tough aunt who chews broken glass and offers human sacrifices. Aunt Agatha is determined to marry Bertie off to a domineering woman who will change his flighty ways.

Uncle Percy/ Lord Worplesdon- the second husband of Aunt Agatha and father of Florence and Edwin. He terrifies most people with his commanding presence but he himself is terrified of his wife. He once chased a young Bertie across hard country with a riding crop after finding him smoking in the shrubbery. He is a shipping magnate of great renown.

Stilton Cheesewright- has known Bertie since when they were both at Eaton together. He has a low opinion of Bertie's ability at rowing and feels threatened by Bertie's previous engagement to Florence. Stilton is the police officer at Steeple Bumpleigh and he wishes to remove Bertie by force if necessary from the immediate surrounds.

Nobby Hopwood- a ward of Uncle Percy and a good egg. Nobby enlists Bertie's help as she and Boko Fittleworth try to convince Uncle Percy to let them be married.

Boko Fittleworth- an old friend of Bertie's. He is an aspiring film writer with a bad fashion sense and even worse social presence when nervous. Uncle Percy despises the ground he walks on.

Edwin the Boy Scout- the brother of Florence and the son of Lord Worplesdon. He moves around Steeple Bumpleigh hitting suspected burglars over the head with his scout stick and accidentally setting cottages on fire as he attempts to do his good deeds. Bertie ranks him high on the list of England's Rogues' Gallery.

J. Chichester Clam- an unsuspecting American shipping magnate who stumbles into the hell-hole of Steeple Bumpleigh.

The book begins with Bertie vowing and declaring he will never set a toenail near Steeple Bumpleigh, home of his Aunt Agatha. However, following the pleas of help from his friends Boko and Nobby and with the knowledge that Aunt Agatha is away, he ventures to this picturesque setting. Very quickly though Bertie realises he has made a terrible mistake. Even without Aunt Agatha's presence, the shadow of Steeple Bumpleigh lingers and he is faced with unwanted engagements, broken friendships, violence and the loss of a Sindbad the Sailor costume.

This book is fantastic because Wodehouse is such a great author. It is a light, easy to read book but Wodehouse is a master of description and character writing and while reading it, it is clear this is quality stuff. It is not at all forced, just a genius comedy writer doing what he does best.

Just because they are awesome, some P.G. Wodehouse quotes-

“Freddie experienced the sort of abysmal soul-sadness which afflicts one of Tolstoy's Russian peasants when, after putting in a heavy day's work strangling his father, beating his wife, and dropping the baby into the city's reservoir, he turns to the cupboards, only to find the vodka bottle empty.”

“Mike nodded. A sombre nod. The nod Napoleon might have given if somebody had met him in 1812 and said, "So, you're back from Moscow, eh?”

“It is no use telling me there are bad aunts and good aunts. At the core, they are all alike. Sooner or later, out pops the cloven hoof. ”

“I flung open the door. I got a momentary flash of about a hundred and fifteen cats of all sizes and colours scrapping in the middle of the room, and then they all shot past me with a rush and out of the front door; and all that was left of the mob scene was the head of a whacking big fish, lying on the carpet and staring up at me in a rather austere sort of way, as if it wanted a written explanation and apology.”

“There are moments, Jeeves, when one asks oneself, 'Do trousers matter?'"
"The mood will pass, sir.”