On Jeeves, Wooster, and wars that destroy all of a class society

[xiphias]

In a discussion on james_nicoll's lj about Jeeves and Wooster, it was pretty well determined that, in the world of Jeeves and Wooster, neither World War must have happened. They were written post-WWI, and some of them, even post-WWII, but the world is pure Edwardian.

So I was a bit surprised when I was re-reading the 1921 "Jeeves in the Springtime":

"The method which I advocate is what, I believe, the advertisers call Direct Suggestion, sir, consisting as it does of driving an idea home by constant repetition. You may have had some experience of the system?"
"You mean they keep on telling you that some soap or other is the best, and after a bit you come under the influence and charge round the corner and buy a cake?"
"Exactly, sir. The same method was the basis of all the most valuable propaganda during the world war. . . ."

And later, during the same story, as Mr. Little was discussing his cook:

"She has been with me many years, and in all that time I have not known her guilty of a single lapse from the highest standard. Except once, in the winter of 1917, when a purist might have condemned a certain mayonnaise of hers as lacking in creaminess. But one must make allowances. There had been several air-raids about that time, and no doubt the poor woman was shaken. . . . "

So, instead, it seems that World War I, at least, did happen. It just didn't affect anyone.

Comments

[papersky.livejournal.com]

Be careful, because I can tell you from experience that you are taking the first steps on the path that leads to writing alternate history trilogies.

WWI happened, and lasted until at least 1917, it just didn't change the Edwardian age. How could that happen?

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

WWI happened, lasted until at least 1917, with air raids conducted against England which apparently managed to hit somewhere around London. So it's not that England managed to stay out of it, nor that they escaped unscathed.

[badmagic.livejournal.com]

it seems that World War I, at least, did happen. It just didn't affect anyone.

"Hmm? World War Two? Ah yes, I remember. Had a spot of bother with the Hun."

How very British.

[navrins]

Are you saying that undercreamy mayonnaise is not an effect?

[mattblum.livejournal.com]

Also from "Jeeves in the Springtime":

"How's the weather, Jeeves?"

"Exceptionally clement, sir."

"Anything in the papers?"

"Some slight friction threatening in the Balkans, sir. Otherwise, nothing."

The main reason Wodehouse avoided WW2 was probably because he was justifiably embarrassed at his own behavior during the war, as detailed here.