The Butler: analyse af Roald Dahls novelle

‘wealth does not always bring happiness’ says an old adage. Maybe there’s some truth to it. It certainly didn’t make Mr. Cleaver very satisfied in the short novel The Butler by Roald Dahl (1973). A story that deals with social classes and loyalty. The story is about how a French Chef Monsieur Estragon and an English butler Tibbs fools Mr. Cleaver, a fine but unknowing man in possession of a filthy amount of money. Although Mr. Cleaver starts serving wine of an astronomical cost to the guests, in order for him move up socially, his dinner parties do not improve. One night at a dinner party the butler explains how he and Mr. Estragon had been drinking all the expensive wines, and how he has only been serving the same cheap wine all along. Perhaps it wasn’t the wine or Tibbs that resulted in the unsuccessful dinners, maybe it was Mr. Cleavers disrespect to his butler?

Some say that a butler should be the most loyal person to one, but it definitely goes the other way as well. A butler is not just a servant, but someone who advices you when needed. These advices and suggestions are thrown away by Mr. Cleaver. Instead of appreciating Tibbs’ advice, Mr. Cleaver replies: “Then why in heaven’s name didn’t you say so before, you twit?” (Page 1, line 30-31). This comment reflects his arrogance and his attitude. The fact that he calls his own butler for a “twit” implies that he does not appreciate nor respects Tibbs. It is also a critique of the higher society, because the quote describes how people with more money thinks they can do and say whatever they want. However, Tibbs murmurs back: “You are very fortunate, sir.” (Page 2, line 14). It is a very ironic comment, because Tibbs is aware of the fact that Mr. Cleaver is actually drinking the “cheap and rather odious Spanish red”. But the fact in this short story is, that one can not buy another’s loyalty or respect regardless of how much money one has. Loyalty and critique of the higher society are therefor some of the main themes besides the irony that carries the whole story.