Some Do Not … · Chapter
Chapter VI explained
Tietjens visits Mrs.
What happens
Tietjens visits Mrs. Wannop and Valentine, discussing scandal, politics, and the suffragette movement. Mrs. Wannop dismisses the gossip about Tietjens and Valentine, while Tietjens reflects on his marriage and the social pressures surrounding him. The chapter includes a debate on women's suffrage and the feudal system, and ends with Tietjens walking through fields, contemplating his situation and the innocence of Valentine.
Themes in this chapter
Gender Roles and Sexuality
The debate on women's suffrage and Tietjens' reflections on Valentine's virtue versus the scandal highlight gender expectations and sexual double standards.
Honor and Reputation
Tietjens is concerned about the scandal damaging Valentine's reputation, while Mrs. Wannop dismisses it, showing differing attitudes toward social honor.
Self-Deception and Perception
Tietjens' internal monologue reveals his self-deception about his marriage and his perception of the world as a 'beastly muddle'.
Characters to notice
- Christopher Tietjens
Visits Mrs. Wannop, discusses scandal and politics, reflects on his marriage and social standing.
- Mrs. Wannop
Hosts Tietjens, dismisses gossip about him and Valentine, shows fatigue from her writing work.
- Valentine Wannop
Debates women's suffrage with Tietjens, shows emotional frustration, walks with him in the fields.
- Sylvia Tietjens
Mentioned as Tietjens' wife, called a 'wrong 'un' by Mrs. Wannop, and compared to Duchemin in Tietjens' thoughts.
- General Lord Edward Campion
Mentioned as having spoken to Tietjens about the scandal, and as part of the gossip spreaders.
- Vincent Macmaster
Mentioned in Tietjens' thoughts as 'finished' and linked to a 'paulo-post pre-Raphaelite prostitute'.
- Lady Claudine Sandbach
Mentioned as one spreading the tale about Tietjens and Valentine.
- Mr. Sandbach
Mentioned as the Hon. Paul Sandbach, M.P. (suspended), part of the gossip spreaders.
Key passages
“Mrs. Wannop said: 'My dearest boy … you've so much to do. Do you think you ought really to drive the girls to Plimsoll tonight? They're young and inconsiderate; work comes first.'”
Mrs. Wannop advises Tietjens to prioritize his work over driving the girls to Plimsoll.
Shows Mrs. Wannop's concern for Tietjens' responsibilities.
“Tietjens said: 'Mrs. Wannop, I ought to tell you that your daughter and I are being talked about. Uglily!'”
Tietjens confesses to Mrs. Wannop that there is ugly gossip about him and Valentine.
Highlights Tietjens' concern for reputation.
“Miss Wannop said: 'Oh, but we couldn't cut up golf greens. At least the W.S.P.U. debated it the other day, and decided that anything so unsporting would make us too unpopular. I was for it personally.'”
Valentine explains that the suffragettes rejected cutting golf greens as too unsporting, though she supported the idea.
Illustrates the tactical debates within the suffragette movement.
“Tietjens said: 'By God, he said, Church! State! Army! H.M. Ministry: H.M. Opposition: H.M. City Man. … All the governing class! All rotten!'”
Tietjens curses the entire governing class as corrupt.
Reflects Tietjens' disillusionment with societal institutions.
