In "Wisdom: Rudiments of Wisdom" by Paul Cornell, there is a humorous reflection on an unconventional army made up of whimsical characters like fairies and Beatles. The protagonist expresses disbelief at the absurdity of the situation, likening their foes to classic literary and cinematic figures such as H. G. Wells' Martians and notorious characters like Jack the Ripper. This creates an amusing juxtaposition between the whimsical and the horrific.

The quote highlights the absurdity of their predicament while also pointing to the potential absurdity of adding even more quirky characters to their ranks, such as Dick Van Dyke, Mr. Bean, and John Cleese with his famous dead parrot. This clever commentary illustrates the blend of humor and fantastical elements that characterize the narrative, inviting readers to embrace the absurdity and entertainment in the storyline.