Death of Aunt Ann explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Family and Duty

  The Forsyte family gathers to honor Aunt Ann, demonstrating unity and the duty of kinship.

• Aging and Mortality

  Aunt Ann's death forces the family to confront the inevitability of death and the fragility of life.

• Possessiveness and the Sense of Property

  The funeral is a display of the family's property and tenacious grip on life; Ann's little property is left to Timothy.

Characters to notice

• Aunt Ann Forsyte

  Dies in her sleep at the end of September; the family gathers for her funeral.

• Juley Forsyte

  Overwhelmed by grief, prostrated by the blow of Ann's death.

• Hester Forsyte

  Sits quietly in the drawing-room, conserving energy in her sorrow.

• Timothy Forsyte

  Keeps his bed after being told of Ann's death; will get up after the funeral.

• Old Jolyon Forsyte

  Stands at the foot of the bed, remembering his mother's death.

• James Forsyte

  Manifests the most emotion; kisses the dead forehead and complains about arrangements.

• Swithin Forsyte

  Takes one look at the body, leaves the room, and sits silently all evening.

• Soames Forsyte

  Acts as executor, receives guests at the funeral, and handles all arrangements.

Key passages

• “There came a morning at the end of September when Aunt Ann was unable to take from Smither's hands the insignia of personal dignity.”

  One morning in late September, Aunt Ann could no longer accept her personal items from Smither.

  Opening line indicating Aunt Ann's death.

• “If one, then why not all!”

  If one Forsyte could die, then all could.

  Reflects the family's shock at mortality.

• “Pride comes before a fall!”

  Arrogance precedes a downfall.

  Narrator's comment on the Forsyte family's pride before their decline.