The Forsyte Saga · Chapter
Passing of an Age explained
Soames marries Annette in Paris in January 1901 and brings her to London.
What happens
Soames marries Annette in Paris in January 1901 and brings her to London. He reflects pragmatically on their marriage, contrasting it with his past passion for Irene. The chapter describes the funeral procession of Queen Victoria, symbolizing the end of an era. Soames sees Jolyon and Irene in the crowd, stirring old feelings. He then introduces Annette to his aunts Juley and Hester, where her mention of Soho causes him concern about English class prejudices.
Themes in this chapter
Love vs. Marriage as a Contract
Soames views his marriage to Annette as a practical arrangement for children and stability, contrasting with his past passion for Irene.
Social Class and Change
Soames worries about Annette's mention of Soho and explains English class prejudices; the chapter reflects on the shifting social order with the end of Victoria's reign.
Aging and Mortality
The funeral of Queen Victoria symbolizes the passing of an era and the inevitability of change; Soames reflects on his own age and the loss of his great passion.
Characters to notice
- Soames Forsyte
Marries Annette and brings her to London; reflects on his marriage and the changing times; sees Irene and Jolyon at the funeral procession; introduces Annette to his aunts.
- Annette Forsyte
Soames's new wife; beautiful and pragmatic; mentions knowing Soho, causing Soames concern; laughs at Soames's French.
- Irene Forsyte
Seen by Soames in the crowd with Jolyon; described as having a lovely face and distinguished walk; stirs old bitterness in Soames.
- Young Jolyon Forsyte
Seen with Irene at the funeral procession; described as a tallish man with a soft hat and short grizzling beard.
- Juley Forsyte
Aunt Juley meets Annette; compares her to Irene; mentions Timothy's fear of Fashoda; asks about a 'dear little' child.
- Hester Forsyte
Aunt Hester is present with Juley; tries to change the subject when Juley mentions children.
- Francie Forsyte
Drops in after the visit; prompts Aunt Juley with the phrase 'feuille morte' to describe Irene's hair.
Key passages
“The marriage of Soames with Annette took place in Paris on the last day of January, 1901, with such privacy that not even Emily was told until it was accomplished.”
Soames married Annette in Paris on January 31, 1901, keeping it so secret that even his mother Emily didn't know until after the ceremony.
Establishes the secretive nature of the marriage and the date.
“The Queen was dead, and the air of the greatest city upon earth grey with unshed tears.”
Queen Victoria had died, and London's atmosphere was heavy with mourning.
Sets the somber mood of the chapter and the historical context.
“An epoch which had gilded individual liberty so that if a man had money, he was free in law and fact, and if he had not money he was free in law and not in fact.”
The Victorian era made liberty a luxury for the wealthy, while the poor were free only in theory.
Highlights the theme of social class and inequality.
“Into his life, out of his life she had walked like that—swaying and erect, remote, unseizable; ever eluding the contact of his soul!”
Irene had entered and left his life with a graceful, untouchable quality that always escaped his grasp.
Reflects Soames's lingering obsession with Irene.
“I shouldn't mention Soho if I were you. It's rather a shady part of London; and you're altogether above that restaurant business now; I mean, I want you to know nice people, and the English are fearful snobs.”
Soames warns Annette not to talk about Soho because it's considered disreputable, and he wants her to fit in with high society.
Illustrates Soames's concern with class and reputation.
