Some Do Not … · Character

Edith Ethel Duchemin

A married woman of serious, chastity-preaching dignity whose stored-up rage and coarse tongue Valentine Wannop overhears by candlelight.

supporting

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

First appearance: part i i

As a supporting figure in Some Do Not …, Edith Ethel Duchemin is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Macmaster visits the Duchemin rectory and is strongly impressed by Mrs.

In the storyChapter IIIOpen this moment free

See Edith Ethel Duchemin in Chapter III Book page

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Edith Ethel Duchemin presides over the rectory as an intellectual hostess, holding forth on the beauty of lifelong fidelity while conducting a long affair with Vincent Macmaster. When Valentine witnesses her screaming coarse hatred at her lover — the dirty little Port of Leith fish-handler — the whole edifice of refined renunciation collapses. She matters because her hypocrisy is the novel's sharpest exposure of the gap between the talk of the educated class and its appetites, and because her coming marriage to Macmaster reshapes the social circle around the Tietjens.

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See Edith Ethel Duchemin in part i i

Character Web

24 connections

A slice of how Edith Ethel Duchemin sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Romantic
Friendship
Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Central Characters & Antagonists
Supporting Cast & Servants
Protagonist

+19 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where Valentine Wannop…

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Relationships

Vincent Macmaster
romantic · ambivalent
Edith Ethel and Vincent are lovers, with her manipulating him to advance her social… How this plays out →
Valentine Wannop
friendship · ambivalent
Christopher Tietjens
friendship · ambivalent
Sylvia Tietjens
rivalry · negative
Valentine Wannop
friendship · ambivalent
Vincent Macmaster
romantic · ambivalent
Edith Ethel and Vincent are lovers, with her manipulating him to advance her social… How this plays out →
Vincent Macmaster
romantic · ambivalent
Edith Ethel and Vincent are lovers, with her manipulating him to advance her social… How this plays out →
Valentine Wannop
friendship · ambivalent
Sylvia Tietjens
rivalry · negative
Christopher Tietjens
friendship · ambivalent
Sylvia Tietjens
rivalry · negative
Christopher Tietjens
friendship · ambivalent

Vincent Macmaster
Edith Ethel and Vincent are lovers, with her manipulating him to advance her social standing while he is infatuated with her.
Valentine Wannop
Edith Ethel and Valentine are close friends and confidantes, though Edith Ethel's ambitions sometimes strain the bond.
Christopher Tietjens
Christopher respects Edith Ethel as an intellectual companion and ally, though he is wary of her manipulative nature.
Sylvia Tietjens
Edith Ethel and Sylvia are social rivals, each vying for status and influence within their circle.
Valentine Wannop
Edith Ethel and Valentine are close friends and confidantes, though Edith Ethel's ambitions sometimes strain the bond.
Vincent Macmaster
Edith Ethel and Vincent are lovers, with her manipulating him to advance her social standing while he is infatuated with her.
Vincent Macmaster
Edith Ethel and Vincent are lovers, with her manipulating him to advance her social standing while he is infatuated with her.
Valentine Wannop
Edith Ethel and Valentine are close friends and confidantes, though Edith Ethel's ambitions sometimes strain the bond.
Sylvia Tietjens
Edith Ethel and Sylvia are social rivals, each vying for status and influence within their circle.
Christopher Tietjens
Christopher respects Edith Ethel as an intellectual companion and ally, though he is wary of her manipulative nature.
Sylvia Tietjens
Edith Ethel and Sylvia are social rivals, each vying for status and influence within their circle.
Christopher Tietjens
Christopher respects Edith Ethel as an intellectual companion and ally, though he is wary of her manipulative nature.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Edith Ethel Duchemin in part i i

In the story

Edith Ethel Duchemin appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter III
Macmaster visits the Duchemin rectory and is strongly impressed by Mrs. Duchemin, finding her the most influential woman he has met.
Chapter V
Hosts the breakfast, reveals her humble Scottish origins to Macmaster, and shares a passionate kiss with him in the yew walk.
I
Referenced as backing Macmaster and representing higher morality for nice Scots.
II
Now married to Macmaster; her past heroism in caring for her lunatic husband is recounted.
Chapter IV
Revealed to have been Macmaster's mistress; displays harsh language and rage; later marries Macmaster.
V
Referenced in Valentine's reflections as the source of earlier revelations about sexuality and as a possible rival for Tietjens' affections.
VI
Explains Macmaster's knighthood as for special services; Tietjens notes she does not know the original work was his.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Edith Ethel Duchemin unlock in the free preview.

See Edith Ethel Duchemin in part i i

See Edith Ethel Duchemin in Chapter III