Imperfectly Proper

In Short

Imperfectly Proper is a collection of humorous essays by Peter Donovan, originally published in Toronto Saturday Night. Donovan lampoons the social pretensions, fads, and foibles of early 20th-century Canadian life, from motorboat picnics to aesthetic teas, with a sharp eye for absurdity and a gift for witty anecdote. The book endures as a time capsule of its era's manners and mores, offering a laugh at human vanity across generations.

The Story

Donovan's essays form a comedic mosaic of early 20th-century Canadian life, each piece targeting a different social phenomenon or personal experience. He begins with "That Motor-Boat of Algie's," recounting a disastrous picnic that serves as a metaphor for the era's enthusiasm for technology and leisure, often resulting in chaos. In "Aesthetics and Some Tea," he satirizes the pretensions of high culture, exposing the absurdity of aesthetic teas where social climbing masquerades as artistic appreciation. "Beauty in the Bank" offers a humorous take on the intersection of gender dynamics and professionalism in the workplace, while "Koncerning Kosmetics" ridicules the male experience of shopping for women's undergarments.

The author turns his wit to urban life in "City Chickens," where the idyllic dream of keeping poultry in the city collides with the realities of neighborly annoyance and the unexpected drinking habits of roosters. "Porters, Pullmans and Patience" and "Helping Our Friends to Economize" critique class distinctions and the performative nature of wealth, respectively. "Manners for the Masses" laments the decline of politeness, using a humorous encounter with a suspicious coin to illustrate the tension between social expectations and reality.

Donovan's essays also explore personal experiences, such as the challenges of dressing fashionably in "Raiment and Mere Clothes" and the absurdity of attempting to keep cool during heatwaves in "On Keeping Cool." He reflects on the passage of time and lost love in a poignant moment within "Refreshments at Five," contrasting the sweetness of memory with the bitterness of loss.

The collection concludes with essays like "Taming the Furnace," where Donovan humorously struggles with domestic tasks, and "Mike," a tribute to a beloved cat whose misadventures with bells and bows entertain and ultimately sadden. Throughout, Donovan's sharp observations and comedic timing transform everyday experiences into universal commentary on human nature.

How It Unfolds

The voyage begins: "That Motor-Boat of Algie's" introduces the reader to Donovan's style, using a disastrous picnic to critique the era's fascination with technology and leisure. Aesthetic pretensions exposed: "Aesthetics and Some Tea" satirizes high culture, revealing the absurdity beneath social climbing. Gender and professionalism clash: "Beauty in the Bank" humorously explores the tensions between gender dynamics and workplace professionalism. Male embarrassment in shopping: "Koncerning Kosmetics" ridicules the male experience of buying women's undergarments, highlighting societal gender norms. Urban dreams meet reality: "City Chickens" contrasts the idyllic dream of urban poultry keeping with the practical annoyances and unexpected outcomes. Class and wealth critiqued: "Porters, Pullmans and Patience" and "Helping Our Friends to Economize" expose the performative nature of class and wealth. Politeness in decline: "Manners for the Masses" uses a humorous coin incident to lament the erosion of social courtesies. Fashion and identity: "Raiment and Mere Clothes" explores the challenges of dressing fashionably and the tension between self-expression and social expectations. Heatwave humor: "On Keeping Cool" satirizes the futile attempts to stay comfortable during heatwaves, highlighting human adaptability. Poignant reflection: "Refreshments at Five" includes a moment of reflection on lost love, adding emotional depth to the comedic collection. Domestic struggles: "Taming the Furnace" humorously depicts the challenges of domestic tasks, relatable to many. A feline tribute: "Mike" concludes with a heartfelt tribute to a beloved cat, balancing humor with sentimentality.

The People

The Narrator (Peter Donovan): A witty observer and participant in the social scenes he describes, Donovan is both the chronicler and the butt of many jokes. He wants to expose the absurdities of his time while also finding humor in his own misadventures. His struggles with fashion, domestic tasks, and social expectations make him a relatable everyman, even as he critiques the pretensions around him. Algie: The friend whose motorboat picnic goes awry, Algie represents the era's enthusiasm for technology and leisure, often resulting in chaos. His obliviousness to the disaster he causes highlights the disconnect between ambition and reality. Mrs. De Frizac-Jones: The "arch-priestess of the higher cultchaw," she embodies the pretensions of high society and the commodification of culture. Her aesthetic teas are a microcosm of social climbing disguised as artistic appreciation. Claire and the Bankeresses: Representing the new professional woman, Claire and her colleagues navigate the tensions between gender dynamics and workplace professionalism. Their interactions with the narrator reveal the challenges of being taken seriously in a male-dominated world. The Rooster: A symbol of the unintended consequences of urban dreams, the rooster's drinking habits and the neighbors' annoyance illustrate the clash between idealism and reality. The Conductor: In "Manners for the Masses," the conductor embodies the decline of politeness and the tension between social expectations and practical realities, particularly in public spaces. Mike the Cat: A beloved pet whose misadventures with bells and bows entertain and ultimately sadden, Mike represents the universal experience of loss and the joy found in the mundane.

In Its Own Voice

We are not aesthetic, and we don't care a darn about tea. What's more, we hate dressing up for it. There might be some sense in dressing up for a case of beer or a couple of bottles of Scotch. But why people should get into afternoon gowns and morning-coats for tea and postage-stamp sandwiches—well, it beats us, dear reader, it beats us.

"Aesthetics and Some Tea" captures Donovan's disdain for pretension and his preference for authenticity over social performance.

We suggested it might be for the same reason as prevents people in the smart set from having any children. "No, I don't think it's that," said our host very earnestly. "I believe it's because they haven't enough to interest them. I read in a poultry book the other day that hens must be kept bright and cheerful."

"City Chickens" highlights Donovan's ability to find humor in the unexpected, here comparing the breeding habits of hens to the social dynamics of the upper class.

But there are times and moods, mere trifles like a glimpse of flowers in the spring or a robin's song or the odor of wet lawns, which bring her back to us again and make us wince once more as we recall that her name is now Mrs. Spoffkins.

"Refreshments at Five" reveals Donovan's capacity for poignant reflection amidst his comedic observations, adding emotional depth to his work.

What It's Really About

At its core, Imperfectly Proper is about the tension between appearance and reality, pretension and authenticity. Donovan uses humor to expose the absurdities of social performance, whether in the guise of high culture, professional conduct, or personal relationships. He critiques the era's fascination with technology, wealth, and status, showing how these often lead to chaos, disappointment, or unintended consequences. The book also explores the passage of time, the persistence of memory, and the universal experiences of love, loss, and the search for meaning in the mundane. Through his witty observations, Donovan invites readers to laugh at human vanity while recognizing their own foibles, creating a mirror that reflects both the comedy and the pathos of life.

Why Read It Today

Imperfectly Proper offers a delightful escape into the early 20th century, seen through the lens of a sharp-witted observer. Readers who enjoy social satire and comedic anecdotes will find much to love in Donovan's writing. His ability to find humor in everyday situations—from disastrous picnics to the challenges of keeping cool in a heatwave—makes the essays relatable and timeless. While some period attitudes and language may feel dated, Donovan's critique of social pretension remains relevant, offering a laugh at human vanity across generations. The book is a quick, entertaining read, perfect for dipping into during moments of leisure. It leaves readers with a smile and a renewed appreciation for the absurdities of life, both past and present.