Some Do Not … · Character

Sylvia Tietjens

Radiantly beautiful, restless wife who abandons Christopher for Perowne, then writes without a syllable of contrition to be taken back.

major

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

First appearance: I

As a major figure in Some Do Not …, Sylvia Tietjens is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Tietjens' wife who has left him for another man; mentioned as having called Tietjens immoral.

In the storyIOpen this moment free

See Sylvia Tietjens in I Book page

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Sylvia moves through the novel as the elegant, humiliating fact of Christopher's marriage — a woman whose infidelity is public and whose return is demanded as a right. Her letter from Brittany, fed-up with Perowne, sets the plot's central pressure: whether a man of Christopher's scruples can be shamed into a life he did not choose. Her beauty and her cruelty are the same instrument, and everyone around the Tietjens marriage is forced to take sides.

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See Sylvia Tietjens in I

Character Web

38 connections

A slice of how Sylvia Tietjens sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Psychological
Other

Character groups

Protagonist
Supporting Cast & Servants
Central Characters & Antagonists

+33 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…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Valentine Wannop
rivalry · negative
Sylvia bitterly resents Valentine as her husband Christopher's emotional attachment and… How this plays out →
Vincent Macmaster
psychological · negative
Christopher Tietjens
family · negative
Edith Ethel Duchemin
rivalry · negative
Lady Claudine Sandbach
social · ambivalent
Father Consett
psychological · ambivalent
Mark Tietjens
family · negative
Valentine Wannop
rivalry · negative
Sylvia bitterly resents Valentine as her husband Christopher's emotional attachment and… How this plays out →
Vincent Macmaster
psychological · negative
Valentine Wannop
rivalry · negative
Sylvia bitterly resents Valentine as her husband Christopher's emotional attachment and… How this plays out →
Vincent Macmaster
psychological · negative
Christopher Tietjens
family · negative

Valentine Wannop
Sylvia bitterly resents Valentine as her husband Christopher's emotional attachment and sees her as a rival.
Vincent Macmaster
Sylvia manipulates Vincent, using her charm and social power to control him and undermine Christopher.
Christopher Tietjens
Christopher and Sylvia are estranged spouses locked in a toxic marriage of mutual resentment and psychological warfare.
Edith Ethel Duchemin
Edith Ethel and Sylvia are social rivals, each vying for status and influence within their circle.
Lady Claudine Sandbach
Lady Claudine is a social acquaintance of Sylvia, sharing gossip and navigating high society together.
Father Consett
Father Consett is Sylvia's confessor, who tries to guide her morally but is often manipulated by her.
Mark Tietjens
Mark is Sylvia's brother-in-law, and he despises her for her cruelty toward Christopher.
Valentine Wannop
Sylvia bitterly resents Valentine as her husband Christopher's emotional attachment and sees her as a rival.
Vincent Macmaster
Sylvia manipulates Vincent, using her charm and social power to control him and undermine Christopher.
Valentine Wannop
Sylvia bitterly resents Valentine as her husband Christopher's emotional attachment and sees her as a rival.
Vincent Macmaster
Sylvia manipulates Vincent, using her charm and social power to control him and undermine Christopher.
Christopher Tietjens
Christopher and Sylvia are estranged spouses locked in a toxic marriage of mutual resentment and psychological warfare.

Relationship notes

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

See Sylvia Tietjens in I

In the story

Sylvia Tietjens appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I
Tietjens' wife who has left him for another man; mentioned as having called Tietjens immoral.
Mrs. Satterthwaite at Lobscheid
Arrives at Lobscheid; discusses her marriage with Father Consett, expressing contempt for Christopher's formality and truthfulness; plans to send a terse telegram.
Chapter III
Sylvia's letter to Tietjens is discussed; it states she is ready to return and demands her maid Hullo Central be waiting for her.
Chapter IV
Referenced in Tietjens' thoughts about his marriage, his desire to stop scandal, and his preference to be seen as the rip rather than have her seen as a strumpet for the sake of their child.
Chapter VI
Mentioned as Tietjens' wife, called a 'wrong 'un' by Mrs. Wannop, and compared to Duchemin in Tietjens' thoughts.
VII
Mentioned as a figure of destructive efficiency, contrasted with Valentine's constructive nature.
I
Reflects on her husband's character, recalls Sir John's proposal, and reveals she wrote to Lord Port Scatho about Valentine Wannop.
II
Has been crying and is present during the interview; her letter to Lord Port Scatho about Mrs. Duchemin is a central point of contention.
Chapter III
Glorvina informs her about Christopher's poor military reports; she appears devoted but has not yet told Christopher.
Chapter IV
Mentioned as having many occupations and being unsympathetic to Tietjens' work.
V
Makes a threatening phone call to Valentine, accusing her of being Christopher's mistress and warning her to stay away.
VI
Mentioned as bringing the Duke of Rugeley to Macmaster's party; described as a great friend of the Macmasters.

Chapter companion notes

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See Sylvia Tietjens in I