Mistaken Identity and Imposture

Where it surfaces

• Enter Psmith

  Psmith's deliberate alteration of his name from Smith to Psmith introduces a theme of identity manipulation and self-reinvention.

• Psmith Applies for Employment

  Psmith repeatedly mistakes Eve for Miss Clarkson and later jokingly calls himself Mr. Walderwick, highlighting the theme of mistaken identity.

• Lord Emsworth Meets a Poet

  Lord Emsworth mistakes Psmith for the poet Ralston McTodd, leading Psmith to accept an invitation to Blandings Castle under false pretenses.

• I

  Psmith is mistaken for an old friend by a jovial man, and later misidentifies several people as the letter writer.

• III

  The introduction of Ralston McTodd as Lord Emsworth's guest sets the stage for later confusion and impersonation.

• V

  Psmith is mistaken for the poet Ralston McTodd by Lord Emsworth and decides to continue the impersonation.

• Baxter Suspects

  Psmith impersonates the poet Ralston McTodd, deceiving Lord Emsworth and the other guests at Blandings Castle.

• I

  Psmith impersonates the poet Ralston McTodd, and Lord Emsworth accepts him as such, unaware of the deception.

• III

  Psmith is mistaken for the poet Ralston McTodd by the entire Blandings household, a central deception driving the plot.

• Confidences on the Lake

  Psmith's impersonation of McTodd leads to confusion when Eve reveals McTodd is married to Cynthia.

• IV

  Lord Emsworth mistakenly identifies Psmith as the poet McTodd, reinforcing Psmith's imposture.

• V

  Psmith continues his impersonation of Ralston McTodd, which leads to misunderstandings about his marital status.

• II

  Both Psmith and Cootes are impostors claiming to be Ralston McTodd, leading to a confrontation where Psmith's genuine knowledge of the poet exposes Cootes's fraud.

• IV

  The central confusion arises from two men impersonating the same poet, leading to a comedic tangle of identities.

• V

  Psmith's imposture as Ralston McTodd is central to the chapter, as Cootes reveals he knows the truth.

• III

  Psmith is initially believed by Eve to be a criminal impostor, but the misunderstanding is resolved when they discover their mutual connection to Phyllis.

• Psmith Accepts Employment

  Psmith admits he is not Ralston McTodd, revealing his impersonation to Lord Emsworth and explaining his motives.