The Custody of the Pumpkin

by

P.G. Wodehouse

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An American businessman and Aggie Donaldson’s father. Due to Donaldson’s nationality and lack of a noble title, Lord Emsworth assumes that the Donaldson family is poor, and feels superiority over them as a result. However, it later becomes apparent that unlike Emsworth, who was born into his status, Mr Donaldson is a self-made millionaire whose wealth and power outweighs Emsworth’s by a significant degree. Mr Donaldson’s success highlights not only Emsworth’s outdated prejudices, but also the shifting social tide of the 20th century. Whereas in the past it was almost impossible for members of the working classes to improve their social circumstances, the industrial revolution has allowed men like Mr Donaldson to achieve greatness—so much so that they have surpassed the aristocracy themselves. Much to Emsworth’s surprise, Mr Donaldson speaks highly of his new son-in-law, Freddie, and intends to put him to work in Long Island City.

Mr Donaldson Quotes in The Custody of the Pumpkin

The The Custody of the Pumpkin quotes below are all either spoken by Mr Donaldson or refer to Mr Donaldson. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Aristocracy and Power Theme Icon
).
The Custody of the Pumpkin Quotes

There is every reason to suppose that Mr Donaldson had subscribed for years to those personality courses advertised in the magazines which guarantee to impart to the pupil who takes ten correspondence lessons the ability to look the boss in the eye and make him wilt. Mr Donaldson looked Lord Emsworth in the eye, and Lord Emsworth wilted.

Related Characters: Clarence Threepwood, Ninth Earl of Emsworth, Mr Donaldson, Niagara “Aggie” Donaldson
Page Number: 125
Explanation and Analysis:

“Ten million? Ten million? Did you say you had ten million dollars?”

“Between nine and ten, I suppose. Not more. You must remember,” said Mr Donaldson, with a touch of apology, “that conditions have changed very much in America of late. […] But things are coming back. Yes, sir, they’re coming right back. I am a firm believer in President Roosevelt and the New Deal.”

Related Characters: Mr Donaldson (speaker), Clarence Threepwood, Ninth Earl of Emsworth
Page Number: 126
Explanation and Analysis:
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Mr Donaldson Quotes in The Custody of the Pumpkin

The The Custody of the Pumpkin quotes below are all either spoken by Mr Donaldson or refer to Mr Donaldson. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Aristocracy and Power Theme Icon
).
The Custody of the Pumpkin Quotes

There is every reason to suppose that Mr Donaldson had subscribed for years to those personality courses advertised in the magazines which guarantee to impart to the pupil who takes ten correspondence lessons the ability to look the boss in the eye and make him wilt. Mr Donaldson looked Lord Emsworth in the eye, and Lord Emsworth wilted.

Related Characters: Clarence Threepwood, Ninth Earl of Emsworth, Mr Donaldson, Niagara “Aggie” Donaldson
Page Number: 125
Explanation and Analysis:

“Ten million? Ten million? Did you say you had ten million dollars?”

“Between nine and ten, I suppose. Not more. You must remember,” said Mr Donaldson, with a touch of apology, “that conditions have changed very much in America of late. […] But things are coming back. Yes, sir, they’re coming right back. I am a firm believer in President Roosevelt and the New Deal.”

Related Characters: Mr Donaldson (speaker), Clarence Threepwood, Ninth Earl of Emsworth
Page Number: 126
Explanation and Analysis: