Spoorthi Jakka: "To Vina Jie-Min Prasad: No Loose Ends"

No Loose Ends

by Spoorthi Jakka 

            While I can’t say that it’s my favorite book, P.G. Wodehouse’s Uncle Fred in The Springtime would have to be the book that I’ve reread the most times. As I thought about why the novel still hasn’t gotten “old” for me, I realized that a large part of it is that there are simply so many characters, each with distinctly interesting personalities and plotlines. Each time I read through it, I am drawn into the myriad of problems the characters face and the amusing ways they handle them, as well as Uncle Fred’s unwavering confidence in his ability to remedy any and all of them. However, what I am really impressed by is how the chaotic jumble of characters and conflicts the novel begins with are smoothed out into a clever, satisfying ending. So naturally, when I saw Vina Prasad’s question asking about a work of fiction whose ending I particularly enjoyed, Uncle Fred in The Springtime immediately jumped to mind.

            When all the characters are introduced at the beginning of the novel, it makes sense that they are all connected – they are siblings, uncles, old friends, and even secretaries to each other. What isn’t apparent though is when and how their stories will intertwine. Uncle Fred in The Springtime stars everyone from Ricky Gilpin, who is begging his uncle for funds to purchase an onion soup bar so he can provide for the girl he loves, to the Duke of Dunstable, who has a personal vendetta against the pig of Blandings. There’s also Pongo Twistleton, whose money troubles are what get Uncle Fred involved, and what gives the story momentum, in the first place. While the characters do move independently in the beginning of the novel, Pongo, Uncle Fred, the Duke of Dunstable, Pongo’s friend Horace, and multiple other characters find their paths converging under one roof – Blandings Castle. Here, Wodehouse masterfully weaves each character and their corresponding plotline together. By the end of their stay at Blandings, Pongo has repaid his debts, Lord Emsworth has saved his beloved pig from the Duke of Dunstable’s schemes, Ricky has the money for his onion soup bar, and Uncle Fred is pleased with what he accomplished during this springtime week away from his wife. Moreover, after arriving at the end of the story, we understand why Wodehouse included everything he did in the book, and the ending, though not predictable, is definitely logical and well supported.

            Of course, Uncle Fred in The Springtime isn’t the only book I’ve found to have an ending that is really well done, but I think this work is definitely telling of the types of endings I generally find satisfying. I don’t mind a good plot twist, but only if you can look back through the text and find spots that in retrospect hint at the ending. Essentially, I enjoy endings that are well supported and explained by the happenings of the story – ones that not only untangle a mess of characters and plotlines, but also succeed in tying all the threads of the story back into a satisfying knot.