Some Do Not … · Chapter
Chapter V explained
At the Duchemins' breakfast, Tietjens grapples with his first impressions of Valentine Wannop, reassessing her as a potential mistress under the pressure of club gossip.
What happens
At the Duchemins' breakfast, Tietjens grapples with his first impressions of Valentine Wannop, reassessing her as a potential mistress under the pressure of club gossip. Mrs. Wannop arrives unexpectedly, recognizes Tietjens as the son of her old benefactor, and lavishes him with attention, while Macmaster and Mrs. Duchemin share a passionate, secret moment, revealing her humble origins.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Privilege
Tietjens' internal debate about Valentine's class origins and the theory that the upper class can 'lift its feet from the ground' highlights class divisions.
Honor and Reputation
The gossip about Tietjens and Valentine, and Mrs. Duchemin's fear of her past being known, underscore the importance of reputation.
Marriage and Adultery
Macmaster and Mrs. Duchemin's secret kiss and plans for a rendezvous in the yew walk signal an adulterous affair.
Characters to notice
- Christopher Tietjens
Reevaluates his first impression of Valentine Wannop, considering her as a potential mistress and reflecting on class distinctions.
- Valentine Wannop
Appears transformed in silk and coiled hair; Tietjens notes her as a possible wife for Macmaster and a heroine who sacrificed for her family.
- Edith Ethel Duchemin
Hosts the breakfast, reveals her humble Scottish origins to Macmaster, and shares a passionate kiss with him in the yew walk.
- Vincent Macmaster
Engages with Mrs. Wannop about her book, and later confesses his love to Mrs. Duchemin, promising to be her only man.
- Mrs. Wannop
Arrives unexpectedly, recognizes Tietjens as her son's benefactor, and aggressively promotes her new book to Macmaster.
- General Lord Edward Campion
Mentioned as having assigned Valentine Wannop to Tietjens as his maîtresse en tître.
Key passages
“In every man there are two minds that work side by side, the one checking the other; thus emotion stands against reason, intellect corrects passion and first impressions act just a little, but very little, before quick reflection.”
Every person has two conflicting mental processes: emotion versus reason, and intellect versus passion, with first impressions having a slight but persistent influence.
Introduces Tietjens' internal conflict between his initial judgment of Valentine and his rational reassessment.
“For Tietjens held very strongly the theory that what finally separated the classes was that the upper could lift its feet from the ground whilst common people couldn’t.”
Tietjens believed the key difference between social classes was that upper-class people could jump, while common people could not.
Illustrates Tietjens' idiosyncratic view of class distinction.
“She was so completely sincere that, as the party broke up, she just nodded to Macmaster and, catching Tietjens forcibly by the arm, said perfunctorily to the critic: 'Sorry I can’t help you any more with the article. But my dear Chrissie must have the books he wants. At once! This very minute!'”
Mrs. Wannop was so genuine that she abruptly left Macmaster and grabbed Tietjens, insisting he must have the books immediately.
Shows Mrs. Wannop's impulsive devotion to Tietjens, mirroring her gratitude to his father.
“Their lips met in a passion of pity and tears. He removed his mouth to say: 'I must see you this evening. … I shall be mad with anxiety about you.' She whispered: 'Yes! yes! … In the yew walk.'”
They kissed passionately, moved by pity and tears, and he insisted on meeting her that evening in the yew walk.
Climactic moment of Macmaster and Mrs. Duchemin's secret affair.
