Some Do Not … · Chapter
I explained
The chapter introduces Christopher Tietjens, a Yorkshire gentleman and statistician, and his close friend Vincent Macmaster.
What happens
The chapter introduces Christopher Tietjens, a Yorkshire gentleman and statistician, and his close friend Vincent Macmaster. It explores their backgrounds, Tietjens' marriage to Sylvia who has left him, and their conversation on a train journey. Tietjens discusses his views on marriage, morality, class, and the inevitability of war, while Macmaster anticipates the success of his first book.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Reputation
Tietjens discusses the social stigma of cuckoldry and the importance of reputation in public office and society.
Marriage and Adultery
Sylvia's flight with another man and Tietjens' refusal to divorce or seek a divorce highlight the theme of marital infidelity.
Social Class and Privilege
The contrast between Tietjens' Yorkshire gentry background and Macmaster's Scottish origins; discussion of 'born' versus 'merit' in the civil service.
War and Its Disruption
Tietjens asserts that war is inevitable and that the lower classes will save England, contrasting with Macmaster's belief in the circumspect classes.
Characters to notice
- Christopher Tietjens
A Yorkshire gentleman, statistician, and Tory; married to Sylvia who has left him; discusses his views on marriage, class, and war.
- Vincent Macmaster
Tietjens' friend and roommate; a Scottish civil servant and aspiring author; nervous about his first book and his social position.
- Sylvia Tietjens
Tietjens' wife who has left him for another man; mentioned as having called Tietjens immoral.
- Sir Reginald Ingleby
Tietjens' chief; listens to Tietjens' views on statistics and public tendencies.
- Mrs. Satterthwaite
Mentioned as helping to manage the situation of Sylvia's flight.
- Marchant
Mentioned as reporting that Tietjens' child is beginning to talk broad Yorkshire.
Key passages
“No one but a blackguard would ever submit a woman to the ordeal of divorce.”
Tietjens believes that only a dishonorable man would put a woman through the painful process of divorce.
Reflects Tietjens' code of honor regarding marriage and reputation.
“A man ought to be able to keep his wife.”
A man should have the ability to maintain his wife's fidelity.
Expresses the societal expectation of male control over female behavior in marriage.
“The lower classes are becoming vocal. Why shouldn't they? They're the only people in this country who are sound in wind and limb. They'll save the country if the country's to be saved.”
The working classes are speaking up, and rightly so, as they are the healthiest and most capable part of the nation; they will be the ones to rescue England if it can be saved.
Tietjens' contrarian view on class and national strength.
“War, my good fellow, is inevitable, and with this country.”
War is unavoidable, and England will be involved.
Tietjens' prediction of World War I, contrasting with Macmaster's denial.