Parade's End

Sylvia Tietjens’s mother, Mrs. Satterthwaite, is at the spa in Lobscheid, Germany. With her is an Irish Catholic priest, Father Consett, who feels ill at ease in the German forest. Having recently arrived, Sylvia walks in while Father Consett and her mother are in conversation. The conversation quickly becomes a discussion about Sylvia’s evil ways. He likens her to Astarte Syriaca, a representation of the goddess Venus, and contrasts her with the Biblical Eve. Sylvia openly admits her hatred for her husband. She wishes she could be with a new man every week. Father Consett places several hypothetical situations before her to show how that would not make her any happier. Sylvia resents her station in life. She has made up her mind to settle down and be a virtuous wife: “And I’ll be bored stiff for the rest of my life. Except for one thing. I can torment that man. And I’ll do it” (41). Father Consett continues to show Sylvia the error of her ways, but to no avail, because Sylvia goads him at every turn. Father Consett threatens to sprinkle her with holy water as one would a devil. This stops Sylvia, and she retires for the evening.

Macmaster visits Christopher in his room. Christopher is awaiting a reply telegram from Sylvia. He sent her his conditions for her return to his house. Christopher mentions having spoken with Mr. Waterhouse about certain figures he and Macmaster were working on. Macmaster is alarmed. He knows that Christopher dislikes the project and that he can be proud and rude when speaking with others. Mr. Waterhouse is an important minister in the government.

Christopher also mentions that a woman they saw earlier was Valentine Wannop. Macmaster then thinks back over his day: He met with a certain woman, Mrs. Duchemin, the wife of a wealthy Anglican rector. He thinks that Mrs. Duchemin would be perfect for Christopher. Macmaster wishes to rise through the social ranks with Christopher’s help, and a proper wife would be helpful. They were invited for breakfast the next day. He then remembers speaking with General Campion, who has a very different opinion of Sylvia; he worships Sylvia. Later at the Club, Macmaster recalls sitting with the General, Christopher, and Mr. Sandbach, the General’s brother-in-law. There were two men making licentious comments for all to hear. It took a while, but the General eventually spoke to the two men and told them to desist or risk eviction from the club. Mr. Waterhouse, a powerful figure in business and politics, came over to thank the General for standing up to the two men. He also thanked Christopher for his figures, which aggravated Christopher because those numbers were faked for political ends, and he did not want any credit for them. The men leave for a round of golf.

While golfing, Christopher and Mr. Sandbach are behind the General and Macmaster. Macmaster is an excellent golfer. Christopher abhors the sport, and Sandbach does not think much of it either. It is the one thing they have in common; otherwise, the two men despise one another. Mr. Sandbach is off looking for his ball when a woman screams. She needs help for her friend, whose name is Valentine. Christopher sees the two men from earlier chasing her and runs to aid Valentine. He stops the two men with threats. A large and strong man, Christopher even stops the policeman by accidentally tripping him when he goes to arrest the fleeing women. They are suffragettes and were protesting nearby, which is illegal. Mr. Waterhouse admires the women’s spirit.

Later, in the clubhouse, the General, who is Christopher’s godfather, speaks to him about Sylvia. She has been spreading rumors about Christopher with other women. The General wants to know if Christopher knows the women from earlier and if he has something to do with the protesting. Christopher denies the allegations. Afterwards, Christopher spends the evening with Mr. Waterhouse and tells him about his other figures.

Valentine Wannop is with Mrs. Duchemin at her home. Mrs. Duchemin provides shelter for Valentine and the other suffragette. They fear the police are searching for them. The breakfast guests arrive. Valentine recognizes Christopher and fears he will rat on her, but he does not. Rather, he speaks with her briefly and finds her very interesting. At the end of their conversation, he thinks to himself. “By Jove, it’s true! What a jolly little mistress she’d make” (88). Christopher does not think much of Mrs. Duchemin, and the feeling is mutual. However, Mrs. Duchemin really likes Macmaster.

Mrs. Wannop, Valentine’s mother, arrives. A renowned author, she is promoting her new novel. She recognizes Christopher’s last name, having known his father. He had saved her after her husband’s death, providing for her so she could continue writing. Christopher never knew that about his father. Mr. Duchemin arrives to the horror of his wife. Mr. Duchemin has a mental health condition and makes vulgar comments, many of them in Latin. The guests behave as if he had not said anything: “To Tietjens that seemed the highest achievement and justification of English manners” (100). However, Macmaster knows how to handle the situation and comes to Mrs. Duchemin’s rescue, convincing the rector’s groom to quietly remove Mr. Duchemin from the table. Breakfast soon ends, and the guests leave. Mrs. Duchemin and Macmaster speak together alone. They kiss and arrange to meet again at dusk.

Christopher and Valentine are out walking. He wants to get off the main road, fearing someone might see them together. Valentine thinks it is because he knows the police are after her, but Christopher is merely worried about the rumors Sylvia has been spreading. They are startled to hear a coach behind them. It is driven by Mrs. Wannop, and she has lost control. Christopher, who is very good with horses, intercedes and regains control. Mrs. Wannop thanks him and rides off.

As they continue their walk. Valentine comments that Christopher is becoming their family mascot, much like his father before him. They discuss English gentlemanliness and feminist politics. Valentine laments the plight of working English women under the current political and social system. Having worked as a maid for a wealthy family before, she knows the struggles these women face.

Later, Christopher has lunch with Valentine and her mother. He speaks with Mrs. Wannop while Valentine cleans up. He reveals that there are rumors surrounding he and Valentine, but Mrs. Wannop is not worried about them. Valentine brings Christopher a message from Sylvia, thinking it is for her mother. It is written in a strange code. Christopher reflects how he will soon go back with his wife and “…to Hell! Certainly it was Hell” (121). Mrs. Wannop invites Christopher to stay the night with them.

Christopher and Valentine are in a carriage together. They just dropped off Valentine’s friend, Gertie, at her hideaway. Christopher sings a military tune. He considered an army career, but his father was against it. Moreover, a bureaucratic job is very attractive. His brother Mark was said to be indispensable for the Department of Transport. While riding back, Valentine and Christopher engage in an intellectual conversation. Valentine is a very good Latinist, an expert specializing in the Latin language.

During the lulls in their talks, Christopher thinks of various topics and his growing interest in Valentine. Valentine climbs down from the carriage to see if she can find a road sign because they are not certain where they are. Christopher feels a desire to kiss her when she climbs back in the carriage. They go on and are nearly run over by a speeding automobile driven by the General, who stops the car. Christopher is angry, and the horse is bleeding profusely. He claims the General did not sound his horn. Christopher patches up the horse as best he can. The General leaves but promises to send the veterinarian. He also sends a car to take Valentine home. Christopher waits for the vet to arrive.