The Forsyte Saga · Chapter
Fathers and Daughters explained
Jolyon, lonely after Irene and Jon's departure, is taken to London by June, who tries to cure him with modern art and social gatherings.
What happens
Jolyon, lonely after Irene and Jon's departure, is taken to London by June, who tries to cure him with modern art and social gatherings. June confronts Jolyon about hiding the past from Jon, arguing for openness, but Jolyon insists the brutal history between Soames and Irene cannot be buried. June visits Soames's house, meets Fleur, and is struck by her determination. Fleur, after rowing Jolyon across the river, dreams by the river, reading Jon's letters and feeling his presence in nature.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Duty
June feels responsible for her father's well-being and tries to cure him; Jolyon and June clash over duty to Jon and Irene regarding the past.
Possessiveness and the Sense of Property
Jolyon describes Soames's past ownership of Irene as brutal and slave-like; the family feud is rooted in property and possession.
Love vs. Marriage as a Contract
June criticizes marriage laws as 'slave-owning'; Jolyon contrasts love-past with the brutality of a union without love, referencing Irene and Soames's marriage.
Characters to notice
- Young Jolyon Forsyte
Feels lonely after Irene and Jon leave; taken to London by June; argues with June about revealing the past to Jon; becomes agitated and has heart trouble.
- June Forsyte
Takes her father to London to cure him; organizes modern art gatherings; confronts Jolyon about hiding the past; visits Soames's house and meets Fleur; determined to push matters toward decision.
- Fleur Forsyte
Meets June at her father's house; asks about the family feud; rows Jolyon across the river; reads Jon's letters by the river and dreams of him.
- Soames Forsyte
Mentioned as Fleur's father; June visits his house; not directly present in the chapter.
- Irene Forsyte
Mentioned as Jon's mother; Jolyon defends her instinct to hide the past; past with Soames discussed.
- Jon Forsyte
Mentioned as Irene and Jolyon's son; in Spain; Fleur reads his letters and thinks of him.
Key passages
“A philosopher when he has all that he wants is different from a philosopher when he has not.”
Jolyon's philosophical resignation falters now that he is deprived of his wife and son.
Highlights Jolyon's changed state after Irene and Jon leave.
“Can't the dead past bury its dead?”
June argues that the past should be forgotten and not affect the present.
June's modern view clashes with Jolyon's belief that certain things can never be buried.
“It's the brutality of a union without love. This girl is the daughter of the man who once owned Jon's mother as a negro-slave was owned.”
Jolyon explains that the real horror is Soames's loveless possession of Irene, and Fleur is the child of that possessor.
Jolyon's emotional core argument against Jon and Fleur's relationship.