I really don't understand why taking a mistress is better than getting a divorce, especially when Tietjen had every reason to divorce Sylvia. I'm not a fan of Valentine's character, but I felt that was very unfair to her. She was willing to do any thing to please him, but he couldn't get a divorce even though he was perfectly able to legally?
shareIt is not as much about taking a mistress, as it is about accepting that the war has changed everything now and he will live with the woman he loves and loves him back. They've decided not to care about what society thinks and Valentine was also quite progressist, so this is her being a feminist and an individual that is not afraid to live by her feelings and principles.
Not divorcing Sylvia is what remains of his " old parade of principles and beliefs". Sylvia is catholic and divorce would ruin her if initiated by Chris for adultery, not to mention it would also have an execrable effect on the child. He practically forces Sylvia to initiate the divorce and as always he takes it upon him to be the one at fault in the eyes of the society, because he doesn't care about that kind of society any more.
_________
What a ridiculous dog! Excuse me, my dog is not ridiculous. Oh...Whose dog is this then?