Work vs. Idleness

Where it surfaces

• First Steps in a Business Career

  The chapter contrasts the apparent bustle of the bank with the reality that little work is done early, and employees like Bannister advise Mike on how to appear busy.

• The Other Man

  Psmith's ironic declaration of becoming 'Psmith, the Worker' contrasts with Mike's genuine struggle with the drudgery of office life, highlighting the tension between enforced labor and personal fulfillment.

• Psmith Explains

  Psmith contrasts his brief period of intense work with his leisurely stroll and tea shop visit, highlighting the tension between duty and leisure.

• VII: Going Into Winter Quarters

  Psmith's banter about being a 'bee, not a drone' contrasts with Bickersdyke's suspicion of idling, highlighting the tension between appearance and actual work.

• VIII: The Friendly Native

  The tension between Psmith's conversational diversions and Rossiter's insistence on work highlights the conflict between idleness and productivity.

• Mike Is Moved On

  Mike balances his duties with surreptitious reading and extended tea breaks, illustrating the tension between work and leisure in the bank.

• Mr. Waller Appears in a New Light

  The overstaffed bank allows for idle conversations and visits between departments, contrasting with the pretense of busy work.

• XIX: The Illness of Edward

  The chapter contrasts the pleasant, leisurely winter routine at the bank with the sudden intrusion of personal crisis, highlighting how work can become mechanical in the face of deeper concerns.

• Concerning a Cheque

  Psmith shifts his focus from reforming the idle Bristow to targeting Bickersdyke, highlighting the contrast between purposeful work and distraction.

• XXI: Psmith Makes Inquiries

  Psmith's leisurely posture and musing contrast with the serious consequences of Mike's job loss, highlighting the tension between duty and leisure.

• The Spirit of Unrest

  Mike's growing hatred of bank work contrasts sharply with his longing for cricket and outdoor life, highlighting the tension between duty and personal desire.

• At the Telephone

  Mike's impulsive decision to play cricket highlights his internal conflict between the drudgery of bank work and the allure of leisure and sport.

• Breaking the News

  Mike abandons his bank duties for cricket, highlighting the tension between professional obligations and personal passions.