Old Jolyon Goes to the Opera explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Aging and Mortality

  Old Jolyon's sense of weariness, disillusionment, and feeling that life is 'all over and done with' underscores the theme of aging.

• Family and Duty

  The strained yet affectionate relationship between Old Jolyon and his son Jo, and his concern for June's future, highlight familial bonds and obligations.

• Individualism vs. Conformity

  Young Jolyon's nonconformist life choices (marriage, career) contrast with Forsyte expectations, yet Old Jolyon's grudging acceptance shows a shift.

Characters to notice

• Old Jolyon Forsyte

  Central figure; reflects on aging, loneliness, and his estranged son Jo while attending the opera.

• Young Jolyon Forsyte

  Reunites with his father briefly; returns a cheque and maintains correspondence about his son Jolly.

• June Forsyte

  Mentioned as having left for a visit and being engaged to Bosinney; her absence deepens Old Jolyon's loneliness.

• Philip Bosinney

  June's fiancé; described as a harum-scarum, unpractical man with no money.

Key passages

• “They met and crossed hands without a word. Then, with a quaver in his voice, the father said: 'How are you, my boy?' The son answered: 'How are you, Dad?'”

  Father and son greet each other silently, then exchange hesitant, affectionate words.

  Reunion between Old Jolyon and young Jolyon after years of estrangement.

• “He had been in the habit all his life of enjoying things, even imperfect things—and there had been many imperfect things—he had enjoyed them all with moderation, so as to keep himself young. But now he was deserted by his power of enjoyment, by his philosophy, and left with this dreadful feeling that it was all done with.”

  Old Jolyon had always found pleasure in life's imperfections, but now he feels empty and old, as if his capacity for enjoyment has left him.

  Reflects Old Jolyon's existential crisis and the theme of aging.