Some Do Not … · Chapter
VI explained
Tietjens reflects on Macmaster's knighthood and his own departure for France, feeling ashamed of Macmaster's gratitude for work Tietjens originally did.
What happens
Tietjens reflects on Macmaster's knighthood and his own departure for France, feeling ashamed of Macmaster's gratitude for work Tietjens originally did. He recalls a painful farewell with Valentine Wannop, where they acknowledge their love and the impossibility of their situation. Tietjens also confronts Mr. Ruggles about resigning from his club, asserting his independence. The chapter ends with Tietjens receiving a talisman from Valentine and a final, tense exchange with Macmaster.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Reputation
Tietjens feels ashamed of Macmaster's gratitude for work he originally did, and struggles with the ethics of Macmaster's knighthood. His confrontation with Ruggles over the club resignation underscores his defiance of social expectations.
Self-Deception and Perception
Tietjens and Valentine acknowledge their love but are constrained by social norms and circumstances, leading to a sense of being 'pushed as in a carpenter's vise.' Tietjens' internal conflict about his feelings and actions highlights the theme.
Loyalty and Betrayal
Macmaster's knighthood, based on Tietjens' work, creates a tension between loyalty and betrayal. Tietjens' decision to let Macmaster keep the prestige reflects his loyalty, but also a sense of betrayal by the system.
Characters to notice
- Christopher Tietjens
Reflects on Macmaster's knighthood and his own departure for France; feels ashamed and unable to look Macmaster in the face; recalls intimate farewell with Valentine Wannop; confronts Mr. Ruggles about club resignation.
- Vincent Macmaster
Newly knighted; shows solicitude and affection towards Tietjens, but is grieved by Tietjens' departure; tries to explain the knighthood and expresses concern for Valentine.
- Valentine Wannop
Shares a tender farewell with Tietjens; gives him a parchment with a Hebrew blessing; expresses readiness to be with him and recalls their first spoken signs of love.
- Edith Ethel Duchemin
Explains Macmaster's knighthood as for special services; Tietjens notes she does not know the original work was his.
- Mr. Ruggles
Confronts Tietjens about his club resignation; reacts with shock and indignation when Tietjens threatens to resign and re-resign as an insult.
- Sylvia Tietjens
Mentioned as bringing the Duke of Rugeley to Macmaster's party; described as a great friend of the Macmasters.
Key passages
“He didnвАЩt see why poor Vincent shouldnвАЩt have that little bit of prestige at homeвБ†вАФunder all the monuments!”
Tietjens felt Vincent deserved some recognition at home, even if it was based on Tietjens' own work.
Reflects Tietjens' generosity and the theme of honor and reputation.
“WeвАЩre the sort thatвБ†вАКвБ†вА¶ do not!”
We are the kind of people who do not act on our desires.
Highlights the theme of self-deception and the constraints of social class.
“They also serve who only stand and wait.”
Those who wait and do nothing are also serving a purpose.
Tietjens uses this phrase to describe his and Valentine's passive role in society.