Why does Jeeves work for someone who is a bit of an idiot, and of
whose cultural tastes he disapproves?

Jeeves is acknowledged by all Wooster's peers as a fabulous valet, so
why does he not prefer to work for a more 'civilised' gentleman?

James

...perhaps it's the feeling of superiority that Jeeves gets from being
the brains behind the scenes.......

:) jem-ga

Because Wodehouse was a master storyteller.

Why didn't Clark Kent's girl friend figure out that, without his
glasses, he was Superman?

I've always thought that Jeeves has a bit of a fatherly attachment to
Bertie. Or, if not quite fatherly, perhaps an attachment similar to
that of a man to his pet dog. Jeeves knows himself to be infinitely
better than Bertie Wooster in almost every way, but the neediness of
the hapless Bertie is somehow charming, and serves as a bond between
the two.

Another factor may be that Jeeves finds entertainment value in the
neverending series of ridiculous predicaments (ridicaments?) that
Bertie gets himself into. Jeeves may be underappreciated, but at least
his life is not boring, as might be the case if he were in service to
a gentleman of greater intellect than Bertie Wooster.

The short answer is that Jeeves works for Bertie because he needs to
make a living; and possibly Bertie - who is after all rather a "good
egg" - pays more than average wages, as well as the tips he and his
friends give Jeeves in gratitude for his advice and help. But, in
addition to the monetary element, I agree with pinkfreud - if Jeeves
worked for a gentleman as smart as himself who did not seek or need
his advice, then Jeeves would be restricted to his valeting duties,
which would be boring for someone of his intellect.

The outstanding brilliance of Wodehouse is demonstrated by the way we
known Jeeves is more intelligent and better informed than his master
and possesses absolute power in the household, and yet this is all
revealed through the words and perspective of Bertie, who generally
believes otherwise.

I agree with geoff-ga. Wodehouse's world is rooted in the class system
of the early 20th century. A working man like Jeeves, no matter how
well educated, would never hope to rise "above his station" (at least
not in a nonsatirical comic novel). Instead, he would have been
brought up to believe that the greatest source of self-satisfaction
for someone of his class is to do a professional job very, very well.
We don't see too many other valets in Wodehouse, but the great butler
characters -- Beach of Blandings Castle, Jeeves's uncle Silversmith --
are noted for their unshakable professionalism and much humor comes
from putting it to the test.

Bertie clearly gives Jeeves the opportunity to be a very good valet,
guardian, educator, problem-solver, etc. He's compensated very well,
he gets to travel, and he has the added satisfaction of ruling the
roost in a household he couldn't afford to run himself. In fact, it's
hard to think of a better situation for a professional gentleman's
gentleman.

But there's one other clue. In the one story that Jeeves himself
narrates, he says he has often observed that when a new wife comes in
the front door, the valet goes out the back. Despite Bertie's
susceptibility to the fair sex -- and remember, he frequently finds
himself a fiance to women he doesn't even like -- Jeeves probably
feels a measure of job security in knowing he works for the one man in
London who can always be finagled out of any engagement. With a little
help from his valet.

A simpler answer to the question: If Jeeves ever got bolshy, the books
wouldn't be funny.

I recently watched my tapes of the BBC's adaptation of Jeeves &
Wooster, and I agree with others' comments.

Jeeves believes being a valet is his true vocation and who could be a
better "boss" (yeah, we know who's really in charge here!) than
Bertie? Bertie is a gentle, generous soul. His misdventures also
provide a lot of fun for Jeeves (and us). I also think there's a very
real bond of brotherly love between them, with Jeeves clearly in the
role of older, wiser, and very protective brother.

nancylynn-ga