Parade's End

The year is 1917, and World War I has been going on for three years. Christopher and Sylvia are having lunch. He has just returned from the war in France, having been hospitalized for physical and emotional injuries. It is suggested that Christopher suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. Sylvia stands up and throws her plate at Christopher, missing him but staining his tunic with some salad dressing. He acts as if nothing happened. She sees Edith Ethel—now Macmaster’s wife—from the window. Sylvia accuses Christopher of having an affair with Edith Ethel and Valentine, which he denies.

Sylvia drops into reverie. She contemplates the reasons she detests Christopher, including his honorable virtuousness and his never being mad at her, regardless of what she does to him. They discuss their child: There is a possibility he is not the father. Christopher is certain he is, and that Drake, a man Sylvia had an affair with just before marrying Christopher, is not. Sylvia contemplates the nature of adultery in society; she recalls Drake and the great guilt and doubt she felt over their affair.  She then remembers how Christopher came and picked her up from Lobscheid. Christopher admits he may soon die in battle.