Editing Jeeves (section)

=== Personality ===

Bertie frequently describes Jeeves as having a "feudal spirit". Jeeves enjoys helping Bertie and his friends,<ref name="auto1">Usborne (2003), p. 86.</ref> and solves Bertie's personal problems despite not being obliged to do so. Jeeves interrupts his vacation twice to come to Bertie's aid (in "[[The Love That Purifies]]" and ''[[Jeeves in the Offing]]''). He regularly rescues Bertie, usually from an unwanted marriage but also from other threats, such as when he saves Bertie from a hostile swan or when he pulls Bertie out of the way of a taxi.<ref>Wodehouse (2008) [1971], ''Much Obliged, Jeeves'', chapter 4, pp. 32–34.</ref> Jeeves is evidently offended when a revolutionary tells him that servants are outdated in "[[Comrade Bingo]]".<ref>Wodehouse (2008) [1923], ''The Inimitable Jeeves'', chapter 12, p. 126.</ref>

Jeeves generally manipulates situations for the better and is described as "a kindly man" in ''Ring for Jeeves''.<ref>Wodehouse (2008) [1953], ''Ring for Jeeves'', chapter 19, p. 211.</ref> However, he does influence Bertie's decisions to suit his own preferences, such as when he causes Bertie to change his mind about living with his nieces in "[[Bertie Changes His Mind]]". Jeeves is also stubborn when opposing a new item that Bertie has taken a liking to, such as an alpine hat or purple socks. While he often stays on in spite of these radical objects, he can only withstand so much: the worst case is when he resigned after Bertie, privately labeling him as a "domestic [[Benito Mussolini|Mussolini]]", resolved to study the banjolele in the countryside.<ref>Wodehouse (2008) [1934], ''Thank You, Jeeves'', chapter 1.</ref> Usually, Jeeves finds a way to help Bertie with a problem, and Bertie agrees to give away the item that Jeeves disapproves of. Even when Bertie and Jeeves are having a disagreement, Jeeves still shows sympathy, as much as he shows any emotion, when Bertie is in serious trouble.<ref>Wodehouse (2008) [1963], ''Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves'', chapter 4, p. 33. Bertie says regarding Jeeves, "He and the young master may have had differences about Alpine hats with pink feathers in them, but when he sees the y.m. on the receiving end of the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, he sinks his dudgeon and comes through with the feudal spirit at its best. So now, instead of being cold and distant and aloof, as a lesser man would have been, he showed the utmost agitation and concern. That is to say, he allowed one eyebrow to rise perhaps an eighth of an inch, which is as far as he ever goes in the way of expressing emotion."</ref>

Often wearing "an expression of quiet intelligence combined with a feudal desire to oblige",<ref>Wodehouse (2008) [1934], ''Thank You, Jeeves'', chapter 5, p. 50.</ref> Jeeves consistently maintains a calm and courteous demeanor. When he feels discomfort or is being discreet, he assumes an expressionless face which Bertie describes as resembling a "stuffed moose"<ref>Wodehouse (2008) [1934], ''Right Ho, Jeeves'', chapter 9, p. 94.</ref> or "stuffed frog".<ref>Wodehouse (2008) [1954], ''Jeeves and the Feudal Spirit'', chapter 12, p. 118 and chapter 21, p. 219.</ref> When very surprised, he will raise his eyebrow a small fraction of an inch, and when he is amused, the corner of his mouth twitches slightly.<ref>Wodehouse (2008) [1974], ''Aunts Aren't Gentlemen'', chapter 5, p. 46, and chapter 20, p. 182.</ref> His composure extends to his voice, which is soft and respectful.<ref>Wodehouse (2008) [1925], ''Carry On, Jeeves'', chapter 1, p. 31.</ref> When he wishes to start a conversation, he sometimes makes a low gentle cough "like a very old sheep clearing its throat on a misty mountain top".<ref>Wodehouse (2008) [1971], ''Much Obliged, Jeeves'', chapter 11, p. 122.</ref> He may also cough to signify disapproval.<ref>Wodehouse (2008) [1963], ''Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves'', chapter 23, p. 191.</ref> Bertie states that he saw the normally imperturbable Jeeves come "very near to being rattled" for the first time when the sight of [[Bingo Little]] in a false beard caused Jeeves to drop his jaw and steady himself with a table in "Comrade Bingo".<ref>Wodehouse (2008) [1923], ''The Inimitable Jeeves'', chapter 12, p. 123&ndash;124.</ref> In ''[[Joy in the Morning (Wodehouse novel)|Joy in the Morning]]'', Bertie claims that the only occasion on which he had ever seen Jeeves "really rattled" was when he first met Bertie's friend Boko Fittleworth, who wears turtleneck sweaters and flannel trousers with a patch on the knee; Jeeves "winced visibly and tottered off" to recover his composure in the kitchen, where Bertie supposes Jeeves pulled himself together with cooking sherry.<ref>Wodehouse (2008) [1947], ''Joy in the Morning'', chapter 6, p. 52.</ref>

Bertie says that Jeeves is persuasive and magnetic.<ref>Wodehouse (2008) [1934], ''Right Ho, Jeeves'', chapter 22, p. 269. Bertie describes Jeeves: "He is magnetic. There is about him something that seems to soothe and hypnotize. To the best of my knowledge, he has never encountered a charging rhinoceros, but should this contingency occur, I have no doubt that the animal, meeting his eye, would check itself in mid-stride, roll over and lie purring with its legs in the air."</ref> He believes that Jeeves could convince a candidate standing for Parliament to vote against herself.<ref>Wodehouse (2008) [1971], ''Much Obliged, Jeeves'', chapter 8, p. 84.</ref> There is a poetic side to Jeeves, who recites a great deal of poetry. He is much affected when a parted couple reconciles, and tells Bertie that his heart leaps up when he beholds a rainbow in the sky.<ref>Wodehouse (2008) [1947], ''Joy in the Morning'', chapter 16, p. 154 and chapter 17, p. 161. Jeeves is probably quoting William Wordsworth's poem "[[My Heart Leaps Up]]".</ref>

It is not unusual for Bertie's acquaintances to ask for Jeeves's help directly without discussing it with Bertie, and Jeeves is willing to assist them even if Bertie is not involved in any way.<ref>Usborne (2003), p. 93.</ref> Bertie once says that Jeeves "isn't so much a valet as a [[Mayfair]] consultant."<ref>Wodehouse (2008) [1949], ''The Mating Season'', chapter 25, p. 245.</ref> On one occasion, Bertie considers it probable that even the distinguished Sir [[Roderick Glossop]] has consulted Jeeves, and says, "Jeeves is like Sherlock Holmes. The highest in the land come to him with their problems. For all I know, they may give him jewelled snuff boxes."<ref>Wodehouse (1966), ''Plum Pie'', chapter 1, p. 15.</ref>