The Honourable Frederick Threepwood (“Freddie”) Character Analysis

A flighty and somewhat reckless young man, Freddie is Lord Emsworth’s son and the primary source of his father’s problems. Freddie is less traditional than Emsworth, and he cares little for agricultural pursuits—he is uncomfortable in the supposed “paradise” of Blandings Castle and openly mocks Emsworth’s attachment to his pumpkin (which Freddie flippantly dubs “Percy”). Instead, Freddie finds himself much more at home in London, a city his father openly despises. Throughout the story, Freddie defies his father’s wishes at every turn: though Emsworth has banned Freddie from visiting London due to his habit of amassing debt, he continues to do so, and he marries Aggie without approval. However, Freddie’s love of the city and refusal to comply with the Earl’s demands ultimately ends positively for both of them when Mr Donaldson offers his new son-in-law a lucrative career abroad. Freddie’s attitude towards his father’s interests and ultimate rejection of Blandings implies a cultural division between the older and younger generations. Whereas Emsworth cares deeply about his inherited land and familial responsibilities, Freddie views his royal heritage as unimportant, and, like many young men of the era, he instead turns to business in order to find success.