The Forsyte Saga · Chapter
Soames Prepares to Take Steps explained
Soames visits his sister Winifred after her husband Montague Dartie abandons her and flees to Buenos Aires.
What happens
Soames visits his sister Winifred after her husband Montague Dartie abandons her and flees to Buenos Aires. He gathers information from their cousin George, then begins planning legal steps for Winifred's divorce while also devising a pretext to visit Robin Hill and see his cousin Jolyon.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Duty
Soames feels obligated to help Winifred navigate the legal and social consequences of Dartie's abandonment, reflecting the Forsyte sense of familial responsibility.
Gender and Power
Winifred's vulnerability as a wife abandoned by her husband highlights the limited legal and social power of women in marriage, while Soames takes control of the situation.
Social Class and Change
The discussion of divorce and the need to maintain appearances underscores the Forsyte concern with social standing and the changing norms of marriage and morality.
Characters to notice
- Soames Forsyte
Visits Winifred, investigates Dartie's departure, and begins planning legal steps for divorce while also arranging a visit to Robin Hill.
- Winifred Dartie
Receives Soames after Dartie's abandonment; shows him the farewell letter and discusses legal options for divorce.
- Montague Dartie
Has abandoned Winifred and fled to Buenos Aires with a woman named Lola, leaving a farewell note.
- George Forsyte
Confirms Dartie's departure to Soames at the Iseeum Club; provides details about Dartie's ship and destination.
- Val Dartie
Encountered by Soames at Winifred's house; Soames plans to take him to Robin Hill to meet his cousin Jon.
- Young Jolyon Forsyte
Mentioned as Irene's trustee and the current resident of Robin Hill; Soames intends to visit him on business.
Key passages
“When Soames entered his sister's little Louis Quinze drawing-room, with its small balcony, always flowered with hanging geraniums in the summer, and now with pots of Lilium Auratum, he was struck by the immutability of human affairs.”
Soames noticed that Winifred's drawing-room looked exactly as it had when she first married, reflecting his belief that some things never change.
Highlights Soames's sense of stability and control, contrasted with the upheaval of Dartie's departure.
“It's quite true, he's gone to Buenos Aires, started this morning—we'd better have him shadowed when he lands. I'll cable at once. Otherwise we may have a lot of expense. The sooner these things are done the better.”
Soames confirms Dartie's flight and advises immediate action to track him and minimize legal costs.
Shows Soames's pragmatic and methodical approach to handling family crises.
“What does it mean? That he can't touch you, or you him; you're both of you married and unmarried.”
Soames explains that legal separation would leave Winifred in a limbo state, neither fully married nor free.
Reflects Soames's own frustration with his marital situation and his determination to seek a full divorce for Winifred.