Denov state university of department of english language and literature course paper

High society in the novel – the man of property

“The action takes place in London in 1886-1887. There is a family celebration at old Jolyon's house, a reception to celebrate the engagement of Miss June Forsyth to Mr Philip Bosini. The guests are numerous and the family is quite large. Within the Forsyth clan, as in

society, the law of competition reigns, with the six brothers - Jolyon, James, Suisin, Nicholas, Roger and Timothy - vying to see which of them is richer. Their father 'Proud Dossett', from farmers, came to London at the beginning of the century, worked as a bricklayer, a contractor, building houses. He had ten children and all are still alive, the next generation now numbering twenty-one young Forsyths. The family now belongs to the top of the English bourgeoisie, among its members are financiers, lawyers, rentiers and members of joint-stock companies. They are all characterised by a proprietary self-confidence, with conversations always revolving around share prices, dividends, the value of houses and things. Those gathered look smart, glittering and respectable, but there is a certain tension caused by an instinctive sense of the immediate proximity of something unusual and unreliable. The object of disbelief is the man they are gathered here to meet. Bosini is an architect, he has no fortune, he is artistically careless in his dress and somewhat eccentric. George - Roger's son - calls him a pirate, a nickname that takes hold among his kin. Old Jolyon disapproves of the choice of his granddaughter, in whom he is fond of, she will be miserable with this reckless, impractical youngster, but June is a character and very stubborn. Old Jolyon tries to establish relations with his son, June's father, whom he hasn't seen for fourteen years. Then young Jolyon, in the name of "illicit", by Forsythian standards, love, has left the family, he lives modestly, works as an insurance agent, and paints watercolours. The father, after setting up what seems to be a chance meeting at the club, invites his son over, then pays him a visit, and his heart is captured by his grandchildren, little Jolly and Holly. Jams' son, Soms, has a dysfunctional family, though he hides it in every way possible. The Forsytes see his wife as unusual and alien to their circle. The golden-haired, dark-eyed Irene is

break the resistance of the one who was his lawful wife. The next day, George accidentally witnesses a lovers' rendezvous where Irene recounts what has happened and then, out of idle curiosity, follows Bosini, who rushes through town in great agitation like a man who does not know where to go from his grief. Old Jolyon, out of sympathy, sends his son to her to see if Irene needs help. But Somme, announcing that she will not allow him to interfere in her family affairs, slams the door in his face. You have read a short summary of the novel The Proprietor. We suggest you also visit the Summaries section to read essays by other popular writers.”¹⁰