Mr. Bliss - J.R.R. Tolkien

Summary

"Mr. Bliss" tells the whimsical tale of Mr. Bliss, an eccentric man who impulsively buys a bright yellow motor-car, despite not being a very good driver. His very first outing in this new vehicle turns into a series of increasingly absurd and chaotic encounters. He first crashes into a ditch to avoid a Girabbit (a creature that is half giraffe, half rabbit) selling pies, only to be helped by the friendly creature. Continuing his journey, he has his hat and basket of cakes stolen by a mischievous Great White Dragon, leading to a high-speed chase. This chase further escalates when they disturb a family of bears having a picnic, and then draws the attention of two bumbling policemen. The ensuing pandemonium spills into the local town, involving various shopkeepers and creating widespread mayhem, before everything is eventually (and somewhat haphazardly) resolved, leaving Mr. Bliss and the town in a state of bewildered peace.

Book Sections

Section 1: Mr. Bliss Buys a Car

Mr. Bliss is introduced as a peculiar man who lives alone and suddenly decides he must have a motor-car. He finds a bright yellow one and, despite his poor driving skills, purchases it without hesitation. He sets off on his very first drive, going much too fast and enjoying the novelty of his new acquisition. His initial journey is characterized by a blend of excitement and a lack of caution, foreshadowing the adventures to come.

Characters Involved	Characteristics	Motivations
Mr. Bliss	Eccentric, impulsive, slightly clumsy, enjoys modern conveniences, lives alone.	Desire for a motor-car; seeking excitement and novelty; enjoying his new purchase.

Section 2: The Girabbit's Roadside Stand

While speeding down a lane, Mr. Bliss suddenly encounters a Girabbit (a creature with the body of a rabbit and the neck of a giraffe) standing by the road selling pies. In an attempt to avoid hitting the creature, Mr. Bliss swerves violently, losing control of his new yellow car and crashing it into a ditch. The Girabbit, far from being upset, is surprisingly polite and offers assistance to the stranded Mr. Bliss.

Characters Involved	Characteristics	Motivations
The Girabbit	Hybrid creature, polite, enterprising (sells pies), helpful, speaks well.	Earning a living by selling pies; offering assistance to someone in distress.

Section 3: Tea with the Girabbit

After the crash, the Girabbit invites Mr. Bliss back to his cozy home for tea and biscuits. During their pleasant tea-time, the Girabbit expertly helps Mr. Bliss repair the damage to his car. The encounter highlights the Girabbit's kindness and resourcefulness, a stark contrast to Mr. Bliss's initial recklessness. With his car fixed, Mr. Bliss thanks the Girabbit and continues on his journey.

Section 4: The Great White Dragon

As Mr. Bliss drives further, he encounters a magnificent but mischievous Great White Dragon. The Dragon, seeing Mr. Bliss's new car and his rather fancy hat, decides to play a trick. It swoops down, steals Mr. Bliss's hat and a basket of cakes he was carrying, and flies off. Outraged, Mr. Bliss gives chase in his car, initiating a wild pursuit through the countryside.

Characters Involved	Characteristics	Motivations
The Great White Dragon	Mischievous, powerful, enjoys playing tricks, steals objects for fun, capable of flight.	Entertainment; desire to cause a bit of harmless (or not so harmless) trouble; fascination with new things like Mr. Bliss's car and hat.

Section 5: The Bears' Picnic

The high-speed chase between Mr. Bliss and the Great White Dragon leads them to a clearing where a family of bears is enjoying a quiet picnic. As the Dragon flies overhead, it intentionally or accidentally drops Mr. Bliss's basket of cakes right into the middle of the bears' spread. The bears, initially startled, are quickly distracted by the delicious cakes, which they devour along with their own honey, adding to the general disarray.

Characters Involved	Characteristics	Motivations
Papa Bear	Large, gruff but easily tempted by food, patriarch of the bear family.	Enjoying a picnic; desire for food, especially sweets and honey.
Mama Bear	Slightly more cautious, but also enjoys the treats.	Enjoying a picnic; desire for food, ensuring her family is fed.
Baby Bear	Small, excitable, very fond of sweet treats.	Enjoying a picnic; innocent desire for food, particularly cakes and honey.

Section 6: The Police Arrive

The growing noise and commotion – the honking of Mr. Bliss's car, the roar of the dragon, the grumbling of the bears – eventually attract the attention of two local policemen, PC 123 and PC 456. They arrive on the scene to find absolute chaos. Trying to restore order, they are quickly overwhelmed by the absurdity of the situation, finding it impossible to control a dragon, a family of cake-eating bears, and a frantic Mr. Bliss.

Characters Involved	Characteristics	Motivations
PC 123 (Policeman)	Dutiful, tries to uphold the law, somewhat bewildered by the unusual circumstances.	Maintaining public order; investigating disturbances.
PC 456 (Policeman)	Similar to PC 123, also easily flustered, prone to minor mishaps.	Maintaining public order; assisting PC 123; investigating disturbances.

Section 7: Town Mayhem

The escalating chaos eventually spills over into the nearby town. The Great White Dragon, still mischievously flying about, causes havoc by dropping various stolen items and generally startling the townspeople. Mr. Bliss's car, the bears, and even the Girabbit (who might have followed the commotion) all end up in the town square, adding to the confusion. Local shopkeepers, including the Baker, the Greengrocer, and the Butcher, find their businesses and goods disrupted by the extraordinary spectacle.

Characters Involved	Characteristics	Motivations
The Baker	Concerned with his baked goods, easily flustered, proud of his shop.	Protecting his bakery and products; conducting his business as usual.
The Greengrocer	Worried about his fresh produce, slightly exasperated.	Protecting his produce; conducting his business as usual.
The Butcher	Initially confused, then annoyed by the mess and disruption.	Protecting his meat stall; conducting his business as usual.

Section 8: Resolution and Aftermath

After a period of extreme pandemonium, the various characters eventually reach a state of resolution. The Great White Dragon is finally appeased (perhaps with a new hat or a promise of future adventure), the bears are satisfied by their fill of cakes and honey, and Mr. Bliss's car is once again secured. While not everything is perfectly restored to its original state, a sense of order is eventually re-established. Mr. Bliss might have learned a valuable lesson about careful driving and the unpredictable nature of the world around him, but he retains his whimsical spirit.

Literary Genre

Children's Literature, Fantasy, Humorous Fiction.

Author Facts

J.R.R. Tolkien (John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, 1892–1973) was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor, best known as the author of the classic high fantasy works The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. He was a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Pembroke College, Oxford, from 1925 to 1945, and then Merton Professor of English Language and Literature at Merton College, Oxford, from 1945 to 1959. His academic work deeply influenced his creative writing, particularly his extensive knowledge of mythology, folklore, and ancient languages. Mr. Bliss was originally created in the 1930s for his own children, much like The Hobbit, and was not published until 1982, posthumously.

Morale

The primary morale of "Mr. Bliss" is a lighthearted cautionary tale about the consequences of recklessness and impulsiveness, particularly when it comes to new, powerful possessions like a car. It suggests that while new experiences can be exciting, they require responsibility and care. More broadly, the story celebrates imagination and finding wonder (and sometimes chaos) in the everyday, reminding readers that even ordinary journeys can lead to extraordinary, fantastical encounters if one is open to them (or perhaps, reckless enough).

Curiosities

• Illustrations by Tolkien: Unlike many of his other works, "Mr. Bliss" was entirely illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien himself. The original manuscript consists of a long, narrow strip of paper, with the story and illustrations intertwined.
• Posthumous Publication: The book was written in the 1930s but remained unpublished during Tolkien's lifetime. It was finally published in 1982, nearly a decade after his death, by his son Christopher Tolkien.
• Handwritten Manuscript: The published version of "Mr. Bliss" attempts to reproduce the original manuscript as closely as possible, including Tolkien's distinctive handwriting and colorful drawings, providing a unique glimpse into his creative process.
• Inspiration for the Story: The story is believed to have been inspired by Tolkien's own experiences with motoring, as he bought his first car in the 1930s and, by some accounts, was not the most adept driver himself, reportedly having a few minor scrapes and adventures.
• Unique Creatures: The Girabbit is a prime example of Tolkien's playful imagination, creating whimsical creatures that fit the tone of a children's story, distinct from the more serious mythology of Middle-earth.