Character guide

Christopher Tietjens

major

Also known as Tietjens, Captain Tietjens, Christopher Tietjens of Groby, Tietjens of Groby

A brilliant but tormented English officer and landowner, struggling with war, marriage, and honor.

Sylvia Tietjens

major

Also known as Sylvia, Mrs. Christopher Tietjens

Christopher's beautiful, cruel wife, who manipulates and torments him throughout the war.

General Lord Edward Campion

supporting

Also known as General Campion, Campion, old Campion

A senior general who oversees Tietjens and represents the old military establishment.

Valentine Wannop

supporting

Also known as Miss Wannop, Wannop, Valentine

A young suffragist and intellectual, deeply connected to Tietjens emotionally.

Mark Tietjens

supporting

Also known as Mark

Christopher's older brother, a cold and powerful figure in the family.

Major Perowne

supporting

Also known as Perowne, Major Wilfrid Fosbrooke Eddicker Perowne of Perowne

Sylvia's lover and a pompous, incompetent officer.

Colonel Levin

supporting

Also known as Levin, Colonel Levin

A thoughtful staff officer who tries to understand Tietjens' situation.

Sergeant-Major Cowley

supporting

Also known as Cowley, Major Cowley, Lieutenant Cowley, Old Cowley

Tietjens' loyal and capable senior NCO in the battalion.

Captain Mackenzie

supporting

Also known as Mackenzie

A troubled young officer under Tietjens' command, prone to breakdowns.

Captain McKechnie

supporting

Also known as McKechnie, the brooding and odious McKechnie

A bitter, scheming officer who resents Tietjens.

O Nine Morgan

supporting

Also known as Morgan, Dai Morgan, 09 Morgan, Poor O Nine Morgan

A Welsh soldier whose death haunts Tietjens.

Father Consett

minor

Also known as Father

A Catholic priest and confidant to Sylvia Tietjens.

General O'Hara

minor

Also known as O'Hara

An Irish general involved in military administration.

Lieutenant Hotchkiss

minor

Also known as Hotchkiss

A young officer in Tietjens' unit.

Major Thurston

minor

Also known as Thurston

A staff officer who clashes with Tietjens.

Old Puffles

minor

Also known as Puffles

An elderly general being starved of men and resources.

Miss de Bailly

minor

Also known as de Bailly

A young woman connected to the Tietjens family.

Mrs. Satterthwaite

minor

Also known as born Satterthwaite

A social acquaintance of the Tietjens family.

Girtin

minor

An artist friend of Christopher Tietjens.

Winnie

minor

A servant or minor character in the household.

Schomburg

minor

A German officer mentioned in passing.

One Seven Thomas

minor

Also known as Thomas

A soldier in Tietjens' battalion.

Sir Vincent Macmaster

minor

Also known as Macmaster

A government official and acquaintance of Tietjens.

Second-Lieutenant Pitkins

minor

Also known as Pitkins, horrible little Pitkins

A junior officer disliked by his peers.

Sergeant Morgan

minor

Also known as Colour-Sergeant Morgan

A non-commissioned officer in the battalion.

Lance-Corporal Caldicott

minor

A soldier under Tietjens' command.

Ruggles

minor

A minor character in the military setting.

Old Lady Sachse

minor

Also known as Lady Sachse

An elderly aristocratic woman.

Levitt

minor

A soldier or officer mentioned briefly.

Buller

minor

A historical figure referenced in the narrative.