Leave It to Psmith · Character

Ralston McTodd

A Canadian poet whose identity is stolen by Psmith.

minor

Also known as Mr. McTodd, McTodd, Comrade McTodd

First appearance: i dark plottings at blandings castle

Ralston McTodd's tie to Eve Halliday is one of the pressures that moves Leave It to Psmith—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Cynthia's husband, a Canadian poet; has disappeared after a quarrel with Cynthia.

In the storyIIOpen this moment free

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With Eve Halliday (social): Eve briefly mistakes the impostor Ralston McTodd for the real poet, leading to awkward interactions. With Psmith (rivalry): Psmith impersonates the poet Ralston McTodd, creating a competitive…

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See Ralston McTodd in i dark plottings at blandings castle

Character Web

18 connections

A slice of how Ralston McTodd sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Social
Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Blandings Castle residents
Minor and background characters
Protagonist

+13 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point

In this chapter, Psmith’s acceptance of employment—ostensibly as a gardener—marks the emotional and psychologi…

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Relationships

Eve Halliday
social · ambivalent
Eve briefly mistakes the impostor Ralston McTodd for the real poet, leading to awkward… How this plays out →
Psmith
rivalry · negative
Lord Emsworth
social · ambivalent
Eve Halliday
social · ambivalent
Eve briefly mistakes the impostor Ralston McTodd for the real poet, leading to awkward… How this plays out →
Psmith
rivalry · negative
Lord Emsworth
social · ambivalent
Lord Emsworth
social · ambivalent
Psmith
rivalry · negative
Eve Halliday
social · ambivalent
Eve briefly mistakes the impostor Ralston McTodd for the real poet, leading to awkward… How this plays out →

Eve Halliday
Eve briefly mistakes the impostor Ralston McTodd for the real poet, leading to awkward interactions.
Psmith
Psmith impersonates the poet Ralston McTodd, creating a competitive dynamic with the real McTodd.
Lord Emsworth
Lord Emsworth hosts the poet Ralston McTodd as a guest, unaware he is being impersonated by Psmith.
Eve Halliday
Eve briefly mistakes the impostor Ralston McTodd for the real poet, leading to awkward interactions.
Psmith
Psmith impersonates the poet Ralston McTodd, creating a competitive dynamic with the real McTodd.
Lord Emsworth
Lord Emsworth hosts the poet Ralston McTodd as a guest, unaware he is being impersonated by Psmith.
Lord Emsworth
Lord Emsworth hosts the poet Ralston McTodd as a guest, unaware he is being impersonated by Psmith.
Psmith
Psmith impersonates the poet Ralston McTodd, creating a competitive dynamic with the real McTodd.
Eve Halliday
Eve briefly mistakes the impostor Ralston McTodd for the real poet, leading to awkward interactions.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Ralston McTodd in i dark plottings at blandings castle

In the story

Ralston McTodd appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

II
Cynthia's husband, a Canadian poet; has disappeared after a quarrel with Cynthia.
Lord Emsworth Meets a Poet
Referenced as the poet Psmith is mistaken for; Lord Emsworth believes Psmith is McTodd, who had previously declined an invitation to Blandings.
I
The writer of the letter; a nervous young man who correctly responds to the code phrase and meets Psmith.
III
Accompanies Lord Emsworth as a guest at the club; described as gloomy and sullen.
IV
The real poet, frustrated by Lord Emsworth's inattention and lack of cigar, vents his anger to Psmith and storms off, refusing to go to Blandings.
V
Mentioned as the poet Psmith is impersonating; his invitation to Blandings is taken up by Psmith.
VI
The real poet whose identity Psmith has assumed; his telegram declining the visit and his original letter are key evidence.
I
Arrives unexpectedly at Blandings, announces he is the poet invited by Lady Constance, and reveals he wrote 'Songs of Squalor'.
IV
The poet whom Cootes and Psmith are both impersonating; Cootes had chummed up with him earlier.
V
Mentioned as Cynthia's husband who repeatedly storms out over chicken giblets.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Ralston McTodd unlock in the free preview.

See Ralston McTodd in i dark plottings at blandings castle

See Ralston McTodd in II