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Cover of Some do not...: A novel

Some do not...: A novel

Written by Ford Madox Ford

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EnglandWorld War, 1914-1918

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About this book

"Some Do Not" by Ford Madox Ford is a novel written in the early 20th century. The narrative initiates with the accounts of Christopher Tietjens and his friend Macmaster, who are both members of the English public official class. The story seemingly revolves around Tietjens' troubled marriage to Sylvia, who has left him for another man, alongside their discussions about societal norms and personal morality, setting the stage for a complex exploration of relationships, duty, and self-identity. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Tietjens and Macmaster in a railway carriage, which vividly depicts their surroundings and characterizations. Tietjens appears to be a man of deep thought, grappling with the recent departure of his wife, while Macmaster is consumed with the proof of his first book, highlighting their contrasting personalities. Their conversation reveals Tietjens' stoic demeanor in facing his marital troubles, reflecting on themes of masculinity, social expectations, and the moral dilemmas surrounding love and fidelity. This opening establishes a sense of impending conflict and the emotional weight that will influence their lives as the story progresses.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Some do not...: A novel, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 10 hours
  • advanced
  • melancholic
  • introspective
  • critical

Ford Madox Ford's "Some Do Not..." is the inaugural novel in the *Parade's End* tetralogy, introducing Christopher Tietjens, an anachronistic embodiment of Edwardian integrity and duty, navigating a rapidly changing pre-World War I England. The narrative intricately explores his tumultuous marriage to the capricious Sylvia, who uses his unwavering honor against him, and his burgeoning, chaste affection for the progressive suffragette, Valentine Wannop. Set against a backdrop of societal decay, moral ambiguity, and the impending Great War, the novel delves into themes of honor, duty, love, and the collapse of the old order. Tietjens' stoic endurance of personal and public scandal serves as a poignant commentary on a world losing its moral compass.

“The world was going to the dogs, but the dogs were gentlemen.”

Key themes

The Decline of the Edwardian/Victorian Order
The novel vividly portrays the disintegration of the traditional English social structure, moral codes, and class system preceding World War I. Tietjens embodies the last vestiges of this dying world, his principles clashing with the emerging cynicism, materialism, and moral relativism of modern society.
Duty vs. Desire
This central theme explores Christopher Tietjens' internal conflict between his deeply ingrained sense of duty and honor (to his wife, his family, and his principles) and his personal desires for happiness, love, and emotional fulfillment. His commitment to duty often leads to profound personal suffering.
Marriage and Morality
The novel meticulously dissects the institution of marriage in early 20th-century England, particularly through the lens of Christopher and Sylvia's dysfunctional relationship. It explores infidelity, societal expectations for marital conduct, the double standards applied to men and women, and the psychological warfare that can occur within a marriage.

Worth discussing

How does Christopher Tietjens embody or challenge the traditional ideals of an 'English gentleman' in the early 20th century?

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