The Forsyte Saga · Chapter
Richmond Park explained
Jolyon receives a cablegram that his son Jolly is down with enteric in South Africa.
What happens
Jolyon receives a cablegram that his son Jolly is down with enteric in South Africa. Amidst the household's agitation over June's imminent departure to become a Red Cross nurse, Holly reveals her secret engagement to Val Dartie and her desire to go to South Africa as well. Jolyon reluctantly consents, and June and Holly depart together. Later, Jolyon walks in Richmond Park, where he meets Irene, who has left Soames. They walk and talk of Jolly, and Irene shows she understands Jolyon's unspoken feelings.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Duty
Jolyon's concern for Jolly, Holly's sense of responsibility for her brother's enlistment, and the family's response to war.
Individualism vs. Conformity
June's struggle with the constraints of nursing training; Holly's secret engagement and her determination to follow her own path.
Love vs. Marriage as a Contract
Irene has left Soames, highlighting the failure of their marriage; Holly's romantic engagement contrasts with the Forsyte view of marriage as property.
Characters to notice
- Jolyon Forsyte
Receives cablegram about Jolly's illness; learns of Holly's engagement to Val Dartie; consents to Holly's departure; walks in Richmond Park and meets Irene.
- June Forsyte
Preparing to depart as a Red Cross nurse; helps Holly obtain permission to share her cabin; departs with Holly.
- Holly Forsyte
Reveals her engagement to Val Dartie and her wish to go to South Africa; departs with June.
- Irene Forsyte
Meets Jolyon in Richmond Park; has left Soames; walks with Jolyon and shows understanding of his feelings.
- Jolly Forsyte
Reported down with enteric in South Africa; his illness is a central concern.
- Val Dartie
Mentioned as Holly's secret fiancé; his enlistment is linked to Jolly's.
Key passages
“The resolution to become a Red Cross nurse, taken under stimulus of Jolly’s enlistment, had been loyally fulfilled with the irritation and regret which all Forsytes feel at what curtails their individual liberties.”
June decided to become a Red Cross nurse because Jolly enlisted, but she found the training restrictive and resented the loss of personal freedom.
Highlights the Forsyte trait of valuing individual liberty, even in altruistic acts.
“He could not get reconciled to the feeling that Jolly was in danger all the time. The cablegram, grave though it was, was almost a relief. He was now safe from bullets, anyway.”
Jolyon was constantly anxious about Jolly being in danger; the cablegram about his illness, while serious, at least meant he was no longer at risk from enemy fire.
Shows Jolyon's paternal anxiety and the grim comfort of a known illness over unknown battle risks.
“The greater the beauty, the greater the loneliness, for at the back of beauty was harmony, and at the back of harmony was—union. Beauty could not comfort if the soul were out of it.”
Jolyon reflects that intense beauty only deepens his loneliness because true comfort requires emotional connection with another person.
Reveals Jolyon's philosophical nature and his longing for Irene.
“She knows of my feeling for her, then. Of course! One could not keep knowledge of that from such a woman!”
Jolyon realizes Irene is aware of his love for her, and he acknowledges that a woman of her sensitivity would naturally perceive it.
Confirms the mutual understanding between Jolyon and Irene.
