# Old Jolyon's Bequest explained — The Forsyte Saga

> Chapter companion for The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy.

## What happens

Old Jolyon Forsyte, reflecting on his mortality and his affection for Irene, decides to leave her a substantial sum in his will. He wrestles with the propriety of this bequest, given that she is not a blood relative, but ultimately justifies it as a reward for the pleasure her beauty and grace bring him. The chapter also depicts a visit from Irene to his country home, where she meets his granddaughter Holly and enjoys a peaceful afternoon, while Old Jolyon's thoughts continually return to his impending death and the desire to provide for her future.

## Themes in this chapter

### Aging and Mortality

Old Jolyon's reflections on his age, his desire to buy youth with money, and his decision to leave a legacy highlight his confrontation with mortality.

### Possessiveness and the Sense of Property

Old Jolyon's struggle over whether to leave money to Irene, who has 'none of his blood,' underscores the Forsyte sense of property and entitlement.

### Art vs. Materialism

The contrast between Old Jolyon's appreciation of Irene's beauty and music and his calculation of wealth reflects the tension between aesthetic pleasure and material concerns.

## Character check-ins

### Old Jolyon Forsyte

Contemplates his mortality and decides to leave Irene a legacy of fifteen thousand pounds; enjoys her visit and reflects on his life.

### Irene Forsyte

Visits Old Jolyon at his country home, plays the piano, and walks through the fields; she is the object of his affection and his bequest.

### Holly Forsyte

Greets Irene upon her arrival and shares a kiss with her; plays with the dog Balthasar under the oak tree.

### Balthasar

The dog is patted by Holly and teased by her on the carriage rug.

### Mademoiselle Beauce

The elderly French governess accompanies Holly; she has a ruined digestion from the siege of Strasbourg and writes to her sister after lunch.

## Key lines

> He was going to leave her a portion of his wealth, of his aspirations, deeds, qualities, work⁠—all that had made that wealth; going to leave her, too, a part of all he had missed in life, by his sane and steady pursuit of wealth.

Old Jolyon decides to bequeath to Irene not just money, but a share of the life and experiences he sacrificed in his relentless accumulation of riches.

_Reflects Old Jolyon's regret and his attempt to compensate for lost youth through his will._

> Pleasure must be paid for in this world.

One must compensate for the enjoyment one receives from others.

_Old Jolyon's justification for leaving Irene money as a reward for the pleasure her company gives him._

> If only with his money he could buy one year, one month of youth.

He wishes he could trade his wealth for even a brief period of being young again.

_Highlights the theme of aging and the futility of trying to reverse time._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se/chapters/iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se/chapters