The Forsyte Saga
The Forsyte Saga, first published under that name in 1922, is a series of three novels and two interludes published between 1906 and 1921 by
Nobel Prize-winning English author John Galsworthy. They chronicle the vicissitudes of the leading members of an upper class British family,
similar to Galsworthy's own. Only a few generations removed from their farmer ancestors, the family members are keenly aware of their status as
"new money". The main character, Soames Forsyte, sees himself as a "man of property" by virtue of his ability to accumulate material
possessions—but this does not succeed in bringing him pleasure.
Separate sections of the saga, as well as the lengthy story in its entirety, have been adapted for cinema and television.
Book I: The Man of Property (1906)
In this first novel of the Forsyte Saga, after introducing us to the impressive array of Forsytes headed by the formidable Aunt Ann, Galsworthy
moves into the main action of the saga by detailing Soames Forsyte's desire to own things, including his beautiful wife, Irene Forsyte (née
Heron). He is jealous of her friendships and wants her to be his alone.
He concocts a plan to move her to the country, to Robin Hill and a house he had built, away from everyone she knows and cares about. She
resists his grasping intentions, falls in love with the architect Philip Bosinney who has been engaged by Soames to build the house and has an
affair with him. However, Bosinney is the fiancé of her friend June Forsyte, the daughter of Soames's cousin 'Young' Jolyon. There is no happy
ending: Irene leaves Soames after he asserts what he perceives to be his ultimate right on his property — he rapes Irene, and Bosinney dies under
the wheels of a cab after being driven frantic by the news of Irene's rape by Soames. The story of Soames' cousin Jolyon Forsyte is told in
parallel. Jolyon, an artist, who years ago left his wife for his daughter's governess, breaking off with his family, is presented as a contrast to
Soames. He observes from a distance the events between Soames and Irene, while trying to rebuild his relationship with his father 'Old' Jolyon.
Jolyon takes an interest in Irene and tries to help her after Bosinney's death but the story concludes dramatically with Soames shutting the door
on Jolyon's face.
Interlude: Indian Summer of a Forsyte (1918)
In a short interlude after The Man of Property, Galsworthy delves into the newfound friendship between Irene and Old Jolyon Forsyte (June's
grandfather, and by now the owner of the house Soames had built). This attachment gives Old Jolyon pleasure, but exhausts his strength. He
leaves Irene money in his will with Young Jolyon, his son, as trustee. In the end Old Jolyon dies under an ancient oak tree in the garden of the
Robin Hill house.
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Book II: In Chancery (1920)
* Chancery: Legal equity procedures dealing with decisions of equity in intestate estates, execution of wills and property dealings
The marital discord of both Soames and his sister Winifred is the subject of the second novel (the title references the Court of Chancery, which
deals with domestic issues). They take steps to divorce their spouses, Irene and Montague Dartie respectively. However, while Soames tells his
sister to brave the consequences of going to court, he is unwilling to go through a divorce himself. Instead, he stalks and hounds Irene, follows
her abroad, and asks her to have his child, which was his father's wish.
Irene inherits £15,000 after Old Jolyon's death. His son, Young Jolyon Forsyte, also Soames's cousin, manages Irene's finances. When she first
leaves Soames, Young Jolyon offers his support. By the time his son Jolly dies in the South African War, Irene has developed a strong friendship
with Jolyon. Then, Soames confronts young Jolyon and Irene at Robin Hill, falsely accusing them of having an affair. Young Jolyon and Irene
assert that they have had an affair since Soames has it in his mind already. That gives Soames the evidence he needs for divorce proceedings.
That confrontation sparks an actual affair between young Jolyon and Irene, leading to their marriage and the birth of a son Jolyon 'Jon' Forsyte.
Soames marries Annette, the young daughter of a French Soho restaurant owner. With his new wife, he has his only child, Fleur Forsyte.
Interlude: Awakening (1920)
The subject of the second interlude is the naive and exuberant lifestyle of eight-year-old Jon Forsyte. He loves and is loved by his parents. He has
an idyllic youth, his every desire indulged.
Book III: To Let (1921)
This novel concludes the Forsyte Saga. Second cousins Fleur and Jon Forsyte meet and fall in love, ignorant of their parents' past troubles,
indiscretions and misdeeds. Once Soames, Jolyon, and Irene discover their romance, they forbid their children to see each other again. Irene and
Jolyon also fear that Fleur is too much like her father and once she has Jon in her grasp, will want to possess him entirely. Despite her feelings
for Jon, Fleur has a very suitable suitor, Michael Mont, heir to a baronetcy, who has fallen in love with her. Should they marry, Fleur would
elevate the status of her family from "nouveau riche" to the aristocratic upper class. The title derives from Soames' reflections as he breaks up the
house in which his Uncle Timothy, recently deceased in 1920 at age 101 and the last of the older generation of Forsytes, had lived a recluse,
hoarding his life like property. Knowing he is soon to die from a weak heart, Jolyon writes a letter to Jon, detailing the events of Irene's marriage
to Soames, including her love affair with Philip Bosinney and Soames's rape of her and warns him that Irene would be alone if he were to marry
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Fleur. But while Jon reads the letter, Jolyon suddenly dies of a heart attack and Jon is left torn between the past and his present love for Fleur. He
ultimately rejects Fleur, breaking his own heart as well as hers and leaves for Canada. Fleur marries Michael Mont, though she knows she doesn't
love him. With her marriage Soames is separated from the only person whom he has loved selflessly. Irene also leaves for Canada, selling the
house at Robin Hill. Soames and Irene briefly exchange glances at a distance and a kind of peace is made between them but Soames is left
contemplating all that he has lost.
Extra resources:
On Galsworthy:
http://www.bookdrum.com/books/the-forsyte-saga/9780199549894/author-profile.html
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On The Forsyte Saga:
http://www.bookdrum.com
http://www.bookdrum.com/books/the-forsyte-saga/9780199549894/index.html
Trailer: Irene’s story http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIe58Ewzmfg
Trailer: That Forsyte Woman (1949): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLw8iZs5Vqg
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http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061253/episodes
S1, Ep1
10 Jan. 1967
A Family Festival
In 1879 London, we are introduced to the rich upper middle class Forsyte family. The nominal head of the family is Jolyon Forsyte, the eldest of
several brothers and sisters, referred to as 'Old' Jolyon to differentiate him from his son who is referred to as 'Young' Jolyon. Unlike his cousin
Soames Forsyte, who is a solicitor and whose future seems assured, Young Jolyon is a painter and looked upon somewhat askance. He is married
to Frances and has a daughter June, but is also having an affair with his daughter's German nanny, Helene Hilmer, who he would like to marry...
A Family Scandal
S1, Ep2
17 Jan. 1967
A Family Scandal
Young Jolyon's affair with his former nanny is now widely known and he asks his wife Frances for a divorce. Old Jolyon has become aware as
well and takes his son to task for abandoning their values and their way of life. Frances for her part doesn't plan on taking this lying down and
visits her husband's love nest in Chelsea to see if she can talk sense into Helene. Old Jolyon tells his son that he has to break it off completely
with his mistress but the younger Jolyon chooses to take his chances. Old Jolyon as a result removes him from his will. Soames meanwhile
once...
The Pursuit of Happiness
S1, Ep3
24 Jan. 1967
The Pursuit of Happiness
Wnifred is distraught when she finds a promissory note in her husband's jacket and realizes that he owes £500. He assures her that her father will
no doubt be generous when their child is born. They have a son, a few months later. Young Jolyon and Helen also have a baby boy who they call
Jolly. Young Jolyon's wife Frances has refused him a divorce and she and June move to the country. Frances is killed in a riding accident
however and Old Jolyon decides to take charge of June, to whom he intends to leave his fortune. Soames has taken to spending his weekends
visiting ...
Dinner at Swithin's
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S1, Ep4
31 Jan. 1967
Dinner at Swithin's
It is now 1886 and with her grandfather's permission, 17 year-old June Forsyte becomes engaged to architect Philip Bosinney. Old Jolyon sets
conditions on their marriage - Philip must earn £400 a year before they can marry - but otherwise approves. Young Jolyon, who hasn't seen his
daughter for eight years, is shocked and a bit upset to read about the engagement in the newspaper. Helene has been feeling unwell of late but
otherwise they are very happy. Rumors abound about Soames and Irene Forsyte who, after four years of marriage, are now said to sleep in
separate ...
A Man of Property
S1, Ep5
7 Feb. 1967
A Man of Property
Soames hires Philip Bosiney to build him a house at Robin Hill. He accepts the design Bosinney has come up with and the price, which is
considerably more than he had planned to spend. June is over the moon now that her fiancé has a contract. She's less pleased however when she
overhears Philip and Soames' wife Irene making plans for an assignation. Feeling his age, Young Jolyon's father drops him on his son
unexpectedly and meets his grandchildren for the first time. Young Jolyon is sympathetic to his father assuming that he is lonely but his wife
Helene is outraged ...
Decisions
S1, Ep6
1967
Decisions
Rumors abound that Irene Forsyte and Philip Bosinney are having an affair.Young Jolyon and Helene see Philip Bosinney and a beautiful woman
meeting secretly. Young Jolyon had met Philip at his Aunt Anne's funeral but has no idea who the woman is. When they learn that it is Soames'
wife Irene, Old Jolyon suggests that Young Jolyon should speak to Bosinney and as June's father, he feels obliged to do so. It's clear to him that
Bosinney will continue his affair regardless of the impact on June. Soames meanwhile is upset at the ever increasing cost of finishing his house ...
Into the Dark
S1, Ep7
1967
Into the Dark
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After Soames forced his way into her bed, Irene packs her bags and has moved into a small hotel. She refuses to move in with Philip Bosinney
fearing that it would ruin his career. When he learns what Soames did to her the previous night, Philip goes out in a rage but fails to return as
promised. The following day is the scheduled court case between Soames and Philip but the architect fails to appear and loses the case. His
disappearance is soon explained when the police inform the family that he was run over by a carriage in the heavy fog. With no place to go, Irene
...
Indian Summer of a Forsyte
S1, Ep8
1967
Indian Summer of a Forsyte
Most everyone is upset at the death of Philip Bosinney. Young Jolyon suspects that it may have been a suicide - his cousin George Forsyte told
him of his encounter with Bosinney in the street - but does his best to hide the facts as they are known to him. Old Jolyon tells his son of his
plans to purchase Robin Hill and have them live together. Some four years later, Old Jolyon comes across Irene sitting in the garden. He learns
that she is living on her own and teaching music. She's also involved in helping women who find themselves in difficulties. Young Jolyon, ...
In Chancery
S1, Ep9
1967
In Chancery
It's a time of change in the for many in the Forsyte clan. Jolyon has inherited the bulk of his father's estate, with June and Irene also inheriting
substantial amounts. June, now 23 years-old, decides to leave Robin Hill and find her own accommodation in London. Helene, who is not well, is
convinced that she is leaving because of her. Helene's condition deteriorates rapidly from severe headaches to wild imaginings and seizures. A
fall leads to internal injuries and death. Irene is shocked that she was left £15,000 in trust in Old Jolyon's will, the interest from ...
The Challenge
S1, Ep10
11 Mar. 1967
The Challenge
Jolyon and Holly visit Jolly at Oxford and he's invited Val to dinner, even though he doesn't think very highly of his cousin. Holly however is
still quite attracted to Val. Soames meanwhile is determined to have a son. He asks Irene to reconcile with him but she turns him down flat. She
turns to Jolyon and also June, who has forgiven her finally after all these years, for help. Soames for his part hires a private detective to follow
Irene's every move. When she travel to Paris, Jolyon visits her there and they spend a good deal of time together. He must return to ...
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In the Web
S1, Ep11
18 Mar. 1967
In the Web
Jolyan returns hurriedly from Paris, sad at leaving Irene for whom he has developed deep affection, but feeling it is important to be home now
that Jolly has enlisted in the Imperial Yeomanry. June has been training as a nurse and intends to go out to South Africa as soon as they will take
her. With her brother and her fiancé going to South Africa, Holly also wants to go as a nurse and Jolyon consents. James hosts a dinner party for
his children, Soames and Winifred, and his grandchildren, Val and Imogen. Val informs the family that he too has joined the Yeomanry, but...
Birth of a Forsyte
S1, Ep12
1967
Birth of a Forsyte
Irene and Jolyon are named as co-respondents by Soames in divorce proceedings but the suit only serves to draw them closer together. When the
divorce is finalized, Jolyon and Irene marry and she later gives birth to a son, also called Jolyon but who they will refer to as Jon. Soames decides
to retire and sells his practice to another firm. He will continue his art collection and bequeath it to the nation on his death. He proposes to
Annette Lamotte who accepts. They are soon married but just as Annette goes into premature labor, Soames' father James takes a turn for ...
Encounter
S1, Ep13
1967
Encounter
The story jumps ahead several years. World War I has come to an end and of the older generation, only Uncle Timothy remains. Jon has an
interest in farming and his parents agree that he should go live with his sister Holly and her husband Val Dartie. June is running an art gallery for her lame ducks, as Jolyon calls them - and quite by accident, Jon meets Fleur Forsyte, Soames' beautiful daughter. They soon realize that they
are cousins of some sort but know nothing of the family feud as no one will tell them what happened all those years ago. Fleur has another ...
Conflict
S1, Ep14
1967
Conflict
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Fleur and Jon continue to see one another and believe they are very much in love. Their interest in their family's history, particularly the feud
between their grandfathers and fathers continues to occupy much of their time but initially at least, they are unable to find out anything. Jolyon
respects Irene wishes and tells Jon nothing, but June believes they have made the wrong decision. Michael Mont speaks to Soames about his
interest in Fleur who is having his own marital difficulties at present. Jolyon is seeing a doctor and is keeping his medical condition a ...
To Let
S1, Ep15
1967
To Let
Fleur meets Jon as scheduled at Holly's house and tells him that they must marry immediately or he risks lose her. She is convinced their families
will never approve and his hesitation leads her to accuse him of not loving her. She doesn't have all of the facts of the family history - she thinks
her father Soames and Irene were once engaged but she married Jolyon instead - and is convinced their families will stop them if they go through
the normal process of a long engagement and getting their permission and so on. It leads Jon to tell his parents they are engaged ...
A Family Wedding
S1, Ep16
1967
A Family Wedding
Fleur Forsyte and Michael Mont are married - her mother is absent and still living in Paris - and for all that she was once madly in love with Jon,
who has gone off to Canada and the United States and is unlikely to ever return, she seems reasonably contented. Two years later, they are still
happy but have no children, which is of some concern to Soames and Michael's father, Sir Lawrence Mont. Fleur has an innocent flirtation with
the poet Wilfrid Desert who is madly in love with her. As a result of his connection with the aristocratic Mont family, Soames joins the ...
The White Monkey
S1, Ep17
1967
The White Monkey
Wilfrid Desert tell Michael Mont that he is madly in love with Fleur and will take her away from him if the chance arises. Fleur tells her husband
that he has nothing to worry about but she continues her flirtation with Wilfrid and seems to like the attention. Soames raises the issue of children
with his daughter Fleur but she doesn't think there's any hurry. At the insurance company, Soames insists that they drop all foreign investments as
he is convinced there will be a major downturn. He convinces the Board to withdraw from European investments given the uncertain ...
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Afternoon of a Dryad
S1, Ep18
1967
Afternoon of a Dryad
Michael is told by June Forsyte in a somewhat casual way that Fleur and her younger brother Jon were once madly in love. Michael now feels
that he was her second choice and that she probably has no feelings for him. Michael asks Fleur if she wants him to leave and she says no, though
their relationship takes a turn when she has news for him. Bicket and his wife get boxes of second hand clothes from Michael Mont and are
thrilled at their unexpected good fortune. Victorine has her first nude sitting with Aubrey Greene, but her husband is unaware what she has been
doing....
No Retreat
S1, Ep19
1967
No Retreat
Michael Mont gets a visit from an outraged Bicket who now knows that his wife has been posing in the nude as an artist's model. He's convinced
that she had to have been doing more than just posing to earn enough for their move to Australia. Soames is vindicated somewhat when he
receives a letter from the manager of the insurance society, Elderson, advising him that he has fled the country. Soames insists that they hold a
shareholder meeting and reveal all, even though it may have serious repercussions. Not surprisingly, the shareholders are out for blood and both
...
A Silent Wooing
S1, Ep20
1967
A Silent Wooing
Jon now lives in North Carolina, and the beautiful Anne Wilmot is in love with him. He is a gentleman farmer growing peaches and his mother
Irene is visiting. Anne's brother Francis expresses concern over Jon not publicly declaring his love for his sister and Irene tells him he was once
hurt by a woman and that perhaps explains it. He needn't have worried as they are soon married. Francis Wilmot visits London and gets an
invitation to stay with Fleur and Michael. The UK's first Labour government falls and Michael Mont faces re-election as a member of the
Conservative ...
Action for Libel
S1, Ep21
10
1967
Action for Libel
Fleur's letters to her friends results in her being sued for libel by Marjorie Ferrar. Soames takes charge of the defense and he wants to settle the
case out of court, without Fleur having to apologize. He lays the groundwork for a possible defense while also offering a compromise on the
issue of the apology. The Tories win the general election and Michael Mont delivers his maiden speech in the House of Commons. He is verbally
attacked by Sir Alexander MacGown, who happens to be one of Marjorie's lovers and is desperate to marry her. Michael hold his own and
delivers ...
The Silver Spoon
S1, Ep22
1967
The Silver Spoon
Unable to negotiate a satisfactory settlement, the libel action against Fleur Mont goes to court. Soames has laid the groundwork for a successful
defence and with an effective barrister, has every hope of succeeding. Once Marjorie Ferrar is on the stand, Soames' barrister is able to
demonstrate that Fleur's statement that she is without morals is quite possibly correct. Marjorie's refusal to answer a key question from the
witness box seems to doom her case. Michael Mont for his part thinks the strategy is flawed and believes they may have made Marjorie and her
fiancé ...
Strike
S1, Ep23
1967
Strike
Having lost her court case, Marjorie Ferrar turns to her grandfather to help settle her debts. He sets conditions however. With her court case case
over, Fleur realizes that Michael's admonition was correct and they are now shunned by fashionable society. She desperately wants to leave
London and go on a world tour but husband Michael feels that he cannot leave until the end of the Parliamentary session in five months time.
Soames comes to her rescue. All three of them travel to Washington but when Soames sees Irene and Jon in the lobby, he withdraws. to the
solitude ...
Afternoon at Ascot
S1, Ep24
1967
Afternoon at Ascot
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Fleur and Jon meet again after 7 years when she stops in at her Aunt Winifred's, purportedly to check the strike's canteen accounts, but really to
see him. She invites Winifred, Holly Dartie, Jon and his American wife Anne to lunch and then suggests an outing to Robin Hill. Anne feels the
connection between Jon and Fleur and asks Irene to tell her the Forsyte family history. Michael gets involved in a major slum renovations project
when his uncle, Rev. Hilary Charwell, arranges to buy an entire street. The only problem is that he has no money and he gets Michael to ...
Portrait of Fleur
S1, Ep25
1967
Portrait of Fleur
Fleur goes to Harold Blade's studio for her portrait sitting but she sees Jon and Anne there as she too is having her portrait done. When she learns
that Jon will also have his portrait painted, she arranges for them to both be there on the same day. Since her experience with running the strike
canteen, Fleur has been looking for something substantive to do. She comes across the idea of opening a rest home for working girls to give them
a rest and fresh air. Val's racehorse meanwhile is ill and Stainford says he knows why. Of course he wants payment so Val arranges ...
Swan Song
S1, Ep26
1967
Swan Song
Fleur makes a point of seeing Jon at Harold Blade's studio and invites him to visit the rest house she's opened for working girls. She pours her
heart out to him and breaks into tears but Jon knows that they musn't continue seeing one another. They both realize that they are playing with
fire and when they again visit Robin Hill, they make love in the garden. Jon feels terribly guilty and wants to tell Anne but Fleur would be happy
for them to keep it all to themselves and continue as lovers. Irene immediately senses what has happened between her son and his first ...
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