# Timothy Prophesies explained — The Forsyte Saga > Chapter companion for The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy. ## What happens At Lord's cricket ground during the second post-war anniversary, Soames Forsyte attends with his wife Annette and daughter Fleur, observing the traditional spectacle of top hats and class solidarity. The chapter juxtaposes the superficial continuity of English society with underlying tensions: Fleur's lovelorn state, Annette's ambiguous relationship with Prosper Profond, and the decay of old certainties. After the match, Soames visits his ancient Uncle Timothy, who in his senility delivers a cryptic prophecy about Consols going up, embodying the Forsyte obsession with property and security even at the edge of death. ## Themes in this chapter ### Social Class and Change The description of Lord's as a 'close borough' for the ten thousand top-hatted attendees, with the proletariat barely visible, highlights the persistence of class divisions even as the war has shaken society. ### Aging and Mortality Timothy's senility and physical decline, his loss of self-control in eating habits, and his fixation on Consols illustrate the Forsyte fear of death and the clinging to property as a bulwark against mortality. ### Possessiveness and the Sense of Property Soames's pride in his top hat and his observation of the crowd's 'reserve power' in food and drink, along with Timothy's prophecy about Consols, underscore the Forsyte instinct to own and secure assets. ## Character check-ins ### Soames Forsyte Attends Lord's with his family, reflects on his first marriage to Irene, observes Fleur's unhappiness and Annette's composure regarding Profond, and later visits Uncle Timothy. ### Fleur Forsyte Present at Lord's wearing a new frock; her colorless demeanor and lack of eagerness betray her distress over her love affair. ### Annette Forsyte Accompanies Soames and Fleur; her face is 'rather more touched up than usual' and she shows curious quietude about Profond's defection. ### Prosper Profond Arrives late at Winifred's luncheon table, sits between Annette and Imogen, engages in cynical banter about human nature and modern women. ### Winifred Dartie Hosts the luncheon at the Bedouin Club tent; reflects nostalgically on the past and discusses the changing times with Soames. ### Timothy Forsyte Very old and senile, propped up in bed; he mutters about Consols going up and tells Soames to 'hold on,' embodying the family's fixation on investments. ## Key lines > There was life in the old dog yet! Tradition! And again Tradition! How strong and how elastic! Wars might rage, taxation prey, Trades Unions take toll, and Europe perish of starvation; but the ten thousand would be fed; and, within their ring fence, stroll upon green turf, wear their top hats, and meet⁠—themselves. The enduring power of English tradition is celebrated: despite war, taxes, unions, and European hardship, the upper classes will continue to gather at Lord's, eat well, and reinforce their own social identity. _Highlights the theme of social class and the resilience of traditional hierarchies._ > He remembered suddenly with what intoxication of pride he had walked round with Irene in the first years of his first marriage. Soames recalls the intense pride he felt when he first walked at Lord's with his first wife, Irene, contrasting that past happiness with his present unease. _Reveals Soames's lingering emotional connection to Irene and his dissatisfaction with his current marriage._ > You tell them all from me⁠—you tell them all⁠—to hold on⁠—hold on⁠—Consols are goin' up. Timothy, in his senility, instructs Soames to tell the family to hold on to their investments because Consols are rising. _Emphasizes the Forsyte obsession with financial security even in old age._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se/chapters/part-ii-xi-timothy-prophesies - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se/chapters