The Edwardian Society Exposed In 'Some Do Not'

“Principles are like a skeleton map of a country-you know whether you’re going east or north.”(Ford, 154). Sometimes the idea of a perfect society neglects the austere reality of life. In order for a society to function properly, there should be minimal conflict between its majority members and its minority. A successful society is not static, but rather dynamic in its capability to accommodate the “outliers” and rising issues. The novel “Some Do Not” is set during the Edwardian age in which Ford Madox Ford juxtaposes the British ideal society with the problematic, contemporaneous one by using the protagonist Christopher Tietjens as the epitome of traditional Edwardian ideals versus all other characters as a representation of changing reality

It was a time where social and political change, luxury, art, and power of the ruling elite were evolving. During this time Great Britain was one of the greatest imperial power in the world. In his book, Ford delineates the great differences between upper and lower class (wealthy and the poor) and emphasizes the new social and political changes in the British life. While the “poorer helots of great cities heartened their lives by dreaming of material beauties, elegance, and suave wealth” (Ford, 247) the upper class dealt with problems such as infidelity, women suffrage, and preservation of their image. Nevertheless, on the outside England was the land of hope and glory to which commoners aspired to, an idea that was maintained by the great hushing power of the ruling class in matters of public dishonor for persons of position, and censored information about the power of absorption of the remoter Colonies (Ford, 191). A fragile society built upon lies and corruption could not withstand the strong winds of social and political change that new times

The secret alliances between the French and Russians bonded England to a war that was opposed by its citizens. The foreign policy of England was defined as “splendid isolation” which meant minimal involvement in European affairs. Its foreign policies were concerned mainly about maintaining balance of powers in Europe, as well as protecting overseas interests in colonies such as Africa and India (Wikipedia.com). Nevertheless, after the Boer war (1899-1902) between Anglo-Saxons and Afrikaans (Transvaal Republic and Orange Free State) which resulted into a difficult victory for England, the British decided that “splendid isolation” was not a successful foreign policy for the years to come (bbc.com/history). The new technological and military advancements of German threatened the balance of powers in Europe, urging Great Britain to enter the Triple Alliance with France and Russia in 1907. Thus, once the alliances were formed, they bounded countries together making the avoidance of a cataclysmic war impossible. Even in “Parade’s End” Ford delineates how war was inevitable. England was a bankrupt, overpopulated, northern country during the Edwardian period while the French were rich southerners with falling population whose greatest enemy was Great Britain. Being part of the Triple Alliance would give Britain a way to “make bread” by using France as “catspaw” (Ford,