Character guide

Sylvia Tietjens

major

Also known as Sylvia, Sylvia Satterthwaite, Sylvia Tietjens' cousin

Beautiful, manipulative wife of Christopher Tietjens, central to the marital conflict.

Christopher Tietjens

major

Also known as Christopher, Tietjens, old Christopher, Chrissie, Chris

Stoic, principled Yorkshire gentleman and statistician, the novel's protagonist.

Valentine Wannop

major

Also known as Valentine, Val, Miss Wannop, the Wannop

Intelligent, independent suffragist and daughter of a professor, Tietjens' love interest.

Vincent Macmaster

supporting

Also known as Macmaster, Vincent, the Mr. Macmaster, Mr. Macmaster, the Macmaster

Tietjens' ambitious, insecure friend and colleague, a literary critic.

Edith Ethel Duchemin

supporting

Also known as Edie, Ethel, Duchemin, Mrs. Duchemin, Edith Ethel

Intellectual, neurotic woman who becomes Macmaster's wife.

Mark Tietjens

supporting

Also known as Mark, Tietjens, V Mark Tietjens'

Christopher's older brother, a cynical and detached barrister.

Mrs. Wannop

supporting

Also known as Wannop, poor Mrs. Wannop

Valentine's mother, a struggling widow and former governess.

General Lord Edward Campion

supporting

Also known as General Campion, Campion, Lord Edward Campion, old Campion, Edward

Senior army officer and family friend of the Tietjens.

Father Consett

supporting

Also known as Father Consett, Father

Catholic priest and confidant to Sylvia Tietjens.

Mr. Sandbach

supporting

Also known as Sandbach, Paul Sandbach, the Hon. Paul Sandbach, Paul

A wealthy, eccentric landowner and patron of the arts.

Lady Claudine Sandbach

supporting

Also known as Lady Claudine, Claudine, Claudine Sandbach

Sandbach's wife, a socialite with a sharp tongue.

Mr. Ruggles

supporting

Also known as Ruggles, Ruggles Peebles, Peebles

A shady businessman and associate of the Tietjens family.

Sir Reginald Ingleby

minor

Also known as Sir Reginald, Ingleby, Reginald Ingleby, old Ingleby

A government official and friend of Christopher Tietjens.

Mr. Waterhouse

minor

Also known as Mr. Waterhouse, The Rt. Hon. Mr. Waterhouse, Waterhouse

A senior civil servant and Tietjens' superior.

The Rev. Mr. Duchemin

minor

Also known as Mr. Duchemin, Breakfast Duchemin

Edith Ethel's eccentric, scholarly husband who suffers a breakdown.

Lord Port Scatho

minor

Also known as Port Scatho, Scatho, Lady Port Scatho

A nobleman and neighbor of the Tietjens family.

Glorvina

minor

A young woman involved in a scandal with Mark Tietjens.

Gertie Wilson

minor

Also known as Gertie, Miss Wilson, Miss Gertie Wilson

A maid in the Tietjens household.

Mrs. Satterthwaite

minor

Also known as Mrs. Satterthwaite

Sylvia's mother, a socialite concerned with appearances.

General Ffolliott

minor

Also known as Old General Ffolliott, Ffolliott

An elderly retired general and family friend.

Hannah

minor

Also known as old Hannah, Old Hannah

An elderly servant in the Tietjens household.

Major Drake

minor

Also known as Drake, a Major Drake

An army officer and acquaintance of Christopher Tietjens.

Mr. Jegg

minor

Also known as A Mr. Jegg

A private detective hired by Sylvia Tietjens.

Tommie

minor

Also known as A decent Tommie

A young soldier and friend of the Tietjens circle.

Marchant

minor

A servant or groom in the Tietjens household.

Stephen Joel

minor

Also known as Joel

A young man associated with the Wannop family.

Brownie

minor

A dog owned by the Tietjens family.

Caroline

minor

Also known as Carrie

A maid or servant in the Tietjens household.

General Hogarth

minor

Also known as Hogarth, old Hogarth, Old General Hogarth

An elderly military figure and acquaintance.

Effie

minor

A young girl, possibly a servant or child in the story.

Professor Wannop

minor

Also known as the late Professor Wannop

Valentine's deceased father, a noted scholar.

Miss Fox

minor

Also known as grey Miss Fox

A spinster acquaintance of the Wannop family.

John Peel

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant or local figure.

Father Reinhardt

minor

Also known as Father

A Catholic priest, possibly a colleague of Father Consett.

Finn

minor

Also known as a Finn, Gran'fer Finn, Gran'fer

An elderly local man, possibly a tenant or worker.

Perowne

minor

A minor character, possibly a military or social acquaintance.

Conder

minor

A minor character, possibly a colleague or servant.

Simeon Solomon

minor

Also known as Sim

A minor character, possibly an artist or acquaintance.

Gilbert

minor

Also known as old Ingleby, Sir Robert Ingleby

A minor character, possibly a relative of Sir Reginald.

The Rev. Horsley

minor

Also known as Mr. Horsley

A clergyman and minor character in the novel.

Lady Moira

minor

Also known as Moira, Lady Moiras, the Moiras

A noblewoman and social acquaintance of the Tietjens.

Edward Wannop

minor

Also known as Edward, Brother Edward

Valentine's brother, a young man away at war.

Hullo Central

minor

Also known as Hullo, the faithful Hullo Central

A telephone operator or nickname for a character.

Brownlie

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant or tradesman.

Charlotte

minor

A minor female character, possibly a servant.

Parry

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant or colleague.