Some Do Not … · Character

Vincent Macmaster

Tietjens' ambitious, quotation-loving friend and fellow statistician, forever reaching for a world of polished panelling he was not born to.

supporting

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

First appearance: I

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

Tietjens' friend and roommate; a Scottish civil servant and aspiring author; nervous about his first book and his social position.

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See Vincent Macmaster in I Book page

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Macmaster is Christopher's closest colleague and the novel's study in social climbing dressed as literary refinement — a man who quotes aptly rather than originally and whose passion for Edith Ethel Duchemin swims in a sea of renunciations and beautiful quotations. His secret affair with her, exposed to Valentine in a moment of screaming vulgarity, shatters the illusion of a chaste intellectual colony. He matters because his compromises throw Christopher's stubborn honesty into relief, and because his friendship is both real and quietly corrosive.

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See Vincent Macmaster in I

Character Web

34 connections

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

Relationship types

Romantic
Psychological
Professional
Friendship
Other

Character groups

Central Characters & Antagonists
Supporting Cast & Servants
Protagonist

+29 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

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

Edith Ethel Duchemin
Edith Ethel and Vincent are lovers, with her manipulating him to advance her social standing while he is infatuated with her.
Sylvia Tietjens
Sylvia manipulates Vincent, using her charm and social power to control him and undermine Christopher.
Valentine Wannop
Valentine and Vincent are acquaintances through social circles, with Vincent viewing her as a rival for Edith Ethel's attention.
Christopher Tietjens
Christopher and Vincent were once close friends and colleagues, but their bond has soured due to betrayal and ideological differences.
Sylvia Tietjens
Sylvia manipulates Vincent, using her charm and social power to control him and undermine Christopher.
Edith Ethel Duchemin
Edith Ethel and Vincent are lovers, with her manipulating him to advance her social standing while he is infatuated with her.
Edith Ethel Duchemin
Edith Ethel and Vincent are lovers, with her manipulating him to advance her social standing while he is infatuated with her.
Sylvia Tietjens
Sylvia manipulates Vincent, using her charm and social power to control him and undermine Christopher.
Valentine Wannop
Valentine and Vincent are acquaintances through social circles, with Vincent viewing her as a rival for Edith Ethel's attention.
Valentine Wannop
Valentine and Vincent are acquaintances through social circles, with Vincent viewing her as a rival for Edith Ethel's attention.
Christopher Tietjens
Christopher and Vincent were once close friends and colleagues, but their bond has soured due to betrayal and ideological differences.
Christopher Tietjens
Christopher and Vincent were once close friends and colleagues, but their bond has soured due to betrayal and ideological differences.

Relationship notes

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See Vincent Macmaster in I

In the story

Vincent Macmaster appears across 9 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I
Tietjens' friend and roommate; a Scottish civil servant and aspiring author; nervous about his first book and his social position.
Chapter III
Macmaster is deeply troubled by Sylvia's letter and General Campion's praise of her; he resolves to push Tietjens toward divorce and is later horrified by Tietjens' plan to confront Waterhouse.
Chapter IV
Enters Tietjens' room suddenly, causing Tietjens a severe physical shock, and tries to loosen his clothes.
Chapter V
Engages with Mrs. Wannop about her book, and later confesses his love to Mrs. Duchemin, promising to be her only man.
Chapter VI
Mentioned in Tietjens' thoughts as 'finished' and linked to a 'paulo-post pre-Raphaelite prostitute'.
I
Mentioned in Tietjens' speech about patronage and Mrs. Duchemin's influence.
II
Revealed to have married Mrs. Duchemin nine months ago; his financial dealings with Tietjens are mentioned.
Chapter IV
Tietjens' friend; involved with Mrs. Duchemin; marries her in a registry office.
VI
Newly knighted; shows solicitude and affection towards Tietjens, but is grieved by Tietjens' departure; tries to explain the knighthood and expresses concern for Valentine.

Chapter companion notes

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See Vincent Macmaster in I