# George Forsyte — The Forsyte Saga character guide

> George Forsyte in The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** George, George Forsyte, Old George Forsyte, old George, Mr. George Forsyde

**First appearance:** 0008-part-i-iii-dinner-at-swithin-s

## Snapshot

The family's resident wit and racing man, whose sardonic asides puncture Forsyte solemnity even as he pockets its dividends.

## Who they are

George belongs to the younger generation of Forsytes, a man about town who keeps his distance from the family's pious self-regard while never quite renouncing his share of it. His mockery is his defense and his pleasure, aimed at everyone from Soames's possessiveness to the general Forsyte instinct for acquisition. He matters because his ironic commentary gives readers a knowing eye inside the tribe, exposing the comedy beneath the property drama without ever letting himself be caught caring.

## In the story

### [Night in the Park](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se/chapters/part-iii-ii-night-in-the-park)

Coins the phrase 'going it' regarding Bosinney, reflecting the family's gossipy awareness of the scandal.

### [Voyage Into the Inferno](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se/chapters/part-iii-iv-voyage-into-the-inferno)

Follows Bosinney through the fog after seeing Irene in his train compartment; feels sympathy and eventually loses him.

### [Irene's Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se/chapters/part-iii-ix-irene-s-return)

George meets Soames outside Jobson's and holds him responsible for Bosinney's death, taunting him with a question about 'any little Soameses yet.'

### [Exit a Man of the World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se/chapters/part-i-ii-exit-a-man-of-the-world)

Co-owner of the filly Sleeve-links; advises Dartie and lays off his own bets.

### [Soames Prepares to Take Steps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se/chapters/part-i-iii-soames-prepares-to-take-steps)

Confirms Dartie's departure to Soames at the Iseeum Club; provides details about Dartie's ship and destination.

### [Soho](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se/chapters/part-i-iv-soho)

Mentioned in a hypothetical remark about Soho being unsuited to the Forsyte spirit.

### [Timothy Stays the Rot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se/chapters/part-ii-xi-timothy-stays-the-rot)

Provides comic relief with military banter and mockery of the family's war enthusiasm.

### [Outlandish Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se/chapters/part-ii-xiv-outlandish-night)

Appears sunburnt and tipsy at Hyde Park Corner, offering Soames a false nose and warning about radicals and socialists.

### [Encounter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se/chapters/part-i-i-encounter)

Seen at the Iseeum Club, sardonic and concerned about income tax and the decline of inherited income.

### [The Native Heath](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se/chapters/part-i-v-the-native-heath)

Present at the races with Prosper Profond, described as large, bull-like, and sardonic.

### [Meetings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se/chapters/part-ii-iii-meetings)

Seen at the Iseeum Club; comments on Soames Forsyte's character and mentions Prosper Profond's interest in Soames' wife.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se/characters/george_forsyte
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se/characters