Talk:Lucky Jim

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University of Leicester?[edit]

I've always been under the impression that Amis based this novel largely on his experience of teaching at the University College Swansea, where he taught in the English department from 1949-1961. Rwood128 (talk) 19:54, 18 September 2014 (UTC)[reply]

The description of the local cemetery as "the Honours class over the road" almost certainly comes from Leicester; Welford Road Cemetery is directly opposite the main campus, as can be seen when travelling into the city from the south by rail. Amis was a regular visitor to Leicester whilst his friend Philip Larkin was an employee there, and combined experiences of both that institution and Swansea seem to have inspired the fictional College in the book. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2001:630:301:1140:205A:1FE8:C001:CBF9 (talk) 17:05, 9 June 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Certainly while I was at UC Swansea (early 70s) that was the story, and a certain prominent lecturer in the English Department was fingered as the original for Dixon. Cross Reference (talk) 02:11, 18 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]

I was assured of Amis' target back in 1961, when he was professor at Nottingham University. By the early 70s he was dead! Sweetpool50 (talk) 18:07, 18 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]

John Cleese[edit]

In his memoir So Anyway ..., comedian John Cleese says about this book, "In my entire life I have found only two novels which as consistently made me laugh out loud, to the point where it starts to hurt." and then indicates that he identified strongly with Dixon.

This probably isn't appropriate for the article, but I figure someone might find it interesting. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.54.177.70 (talk) 03:11, 21 April 2016 (UTC)[reply]

MOS:NOVELS[edit]

All the new sections added earlier this month were unreferenced and full personal research, as well as not being in accord with the style guidelines for such sections. They have therefore been deleted. Mzilikazi1939 (talk) 17:54, 23 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

amateur painter?[edit]

Is Bertrand in fact an amateur? He doesn't seem to have any other work.

Poor quality article[edit]

The plot summary assumes a lot and is incorrect in parts.

Jim Dixon is a lecturer in medieval history at a red brick university in the English Midlands. Jim's role isn't identified, nor is the university. Hints are given but all we know for sure from the actual text is that he's a junior history lecturer at a university somewhere north of London.

he eventually discovers that the editor to whom he submitted it has translated it into Italian and passed it off as his own. ... which happens right at the end of the novel, so why is this mentioned at the beginning of the plot summary?

Bertrand, an amateur painter As somebody below says, Bertrand might not be successful but we have no evidence he's amateur. Other amateurs are identified within the text, such as amateur musicians.

After a bad start Dixon realises that he is attracted to Christine Dixon knows his attraction immediately but believes he cannot have women in her social class. This is a central theme in the novel.

Dixon's growing closeness to Christine upsets Bertrand, who is using her to reach her well-connected Scottish uncle and get a job from him Don't even know where to start with this one. There's no "growing closeness" and their contact is minimal until Dixon makes a move by inviting her to leave with him during a dance. While Bertrand does indeed use Christine to get to the uncle, that's not the exclusive reason for their relationship.

he caps his uncertain performance by denouncing the university culture of arty pretentiousness and passes out Not really. He accidentally slips into parodying others, and then because of drunkenness simply gives up and starts to sneer. It's a history lecture. Why would he be railing against "arty pretentiousness"?

outraging the Welches as they pass on the street Dixon experiences his moment of epiphany while walking though their gathering on the street, when he realises the similarity between father and son, and the ridiculous nature of the family. But there's no sign they're outraged other than the fact they utterly reject him ("On Mrs Welch’s face appeared an expression of imminent vomiting"). — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2.98.39.95 (talk) 17:52, 20 August 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Song reference[edit]

Surely the title is a reference to the old music hall song Lucky Jim, which would've been familiar to readers in 1954? 2A01:4B00:BE01:6600:12D7:FA60:BFBC:2E5F (talk) 17:05, 18 May 2023 (UTC)[reply]

It is quoted simply as "Old song" on the title page of early editions, but so what? Sweetpool50 (talk) 19:17, 18 May 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Nomination for deletion of Template:Lucky Jim[edit]

Template:Lucky Jim has been nominated for deletion. You are invited to comment on the discussion at the entry on the Templates for discussion page. InfiniteNexus (talk) 04:03, 5 July 2023 (UTC)[reply]