Book I: The Man of Property
Introduced as the embodiment of the Forsyte sense of property; his marriage to Irene is strained, and he commissions a house from Bosinney.
I: “At Home” at Old Jolyon’s
James's son; pale, well-shaved, dark-haired, with a habitual sniff; present at the gathering with his wife Irene.
Dinner at Swithin's
Stands behind Irene, watches her neck, reserved about his affairs, feels the strain of his marriage.
Projection of the House
Soames walks out of his house, confirms it needs painting, and reflects on his wife Irene's unexplained aversion to him. He decides to build a country house at Robin Hill, hires Bosinney as architect, and visits the site with him.
A Forsyte Ménage
Soames is the master of the house, obsessed with taste and possession. He feels exasperated by Irene's silence and his inability to own her emotionally, despite his material wealth.
James at Large
Mentioned as the one who decided to build a house; observed by James and Irene in the household.
Plans of the House
Reviews Bosinney's house plans with a mix of puzzlement and hidden satisfaction. He struggles to express approval and is concerned about the house's coldness for Irene.
Death of Aunt Ann
Acts as executor, receives guests at the funeral, and handles all arrangements.
Progress of the House
Reflects on his courtship of Irene and his persistent, possessive love; feels baffled and jealous of Bosinney's rapport with Irene.
Drive with Swithin
Mentioned as having questioned Irene's correspondence with Bosinney; his possessive nature is implied.
James Goes to See for Himself
Soames is mentioned as Irene's husband and James's son, the one whose marriage is under scrutiny due to the rumors.
Soames and Bosinney Correspond
Receives Bosinney's letter demanding a free hand; consults Old Jolyon; writes back to Bosinney setting a cost limit, then relents.
Dance at Roger's
Stands against the wall, watching Irene dance with other men, his smile hiding scorn and possessiveness.
Evening at Richmond
Soames is the husband of Irene, whose suspicions about her relationship with Bosinney are growing; he is away at Henley during the Richmond dinner.
Bosinney on Parole
Returns from Henley, confronts Irene about her unhappiness, invites Bosinney to dinner as a test of trust, and lies awake tormented by jealousy.
June Pays Some Calls
Mentioned indirectly as Irene's husband and the owner of the house Bosinney is building.
Perfection of the House
Enraged by Bosinney's cost overrun, he breaks a china cup in anger and accuses Irene of flirting with Bosinney.
XIV: Soames Sits on the Stairs
Locked out of Irene's room, he sits on the stairs in despair, then confronts her the next day about her suspicious behavior.
I: Mrs. Macander’s Evidence
Pursues legal action against Bosinney over the Robin Hill house costs; reads Waterbuck's opinion and feels nervous about the case.
Night in the Park
Haunted by jealousy, he prowls the park at night, spying on lovers and brooding over his wife's betrayal.
Voyage Into the Inferno
Haunted by guilt after forcing himself on Irene; tries to suppress the memory through work and reading the news.
The Trial
Plaintiff in the trial; gives composed, taciturn testimony.
Soames Breaks the News
Soames visits his aunts after winning his case, learns of Irene's suspected infidelity, and returns home to find she has left.
June's Victory
Referred to as the 'man of property,' his new house is the object of June's scheme, and his marital troubles with Irene are hinted at.
Bosinney's Departure
Present at the mortuary identification, taciturn and immovable; his home is envisioned as stripped bare by Bosinney's death.
Irene's Return
Soames is consumed by jealousy and possessiveness after Bosinney's death. He confronts Irene's return with a mix of rage and helplessness, and refuses young Jolyon entry to his home.
I
Mentioned in old Jolyon's thoughts regarding his treatment of Irene and her disappearance.
Book II: In Chancery
Central figure in the divorce proceedings, driven by possessiveness and a desire to secure his legacy.
At Timothy's
Attends Roger's funeral and visits his aunts at Timothy's; reflects on his wealth, loneliness, and desire for a legitimate heir, feeling drawn to a French girl named Annette.
Soames Prepares to Take Steps
Visits Winifred, investigates Dartie's departure, and begins planning legal steps for divorce while also arranging a visit to Robin Hill.
Soho
Reflects on his past marriage to Irene, his years in Brighton, and his desire for a son. He visits the Restaurant Bretagne and invites Annette and her mother to Mapledurham.
James Sees Visions
Returns home from the funeral; reassures his father and plans to take steps regarding Winifred's situation; privately longs for a son.
No-Longer-Young Jolyon at Home
Visits Robin Hill with his nephew Val Dartie, intending to introduce him to Jolly.
The Colt and the Filly
Accompanies Val to Robin Hill; reflects on the past and his impending divorce from Irene.
Jolyon Prosecutes Trusteeship
Soames confronts Jolyon about Irene, expressing his frustration and sense of ownership, while showing signs of deep suffering.
Val Hears the News
Advises Winifred on the divorce; reveals Montague's theft of pearls; speaks from bitter experience about the need for decisive action.
X: Soames Entertains the Future
Soames meticulously prepares his home and entertains Annette and Madame Lamotte, driven by his desire to possess Annette and secure an heir.
And Visits the Past
Visits Irene after twelve years, seeking information for a divorce; struggles with lingering attraction and bitterness.
On Forsyte 'Change
At the Remove club, Soames broods over his age, his marriage to Irene, and the possibility of a reunion; later he visits Timothy's and clashes with June over art and the Boer War.
Jolyon Finds Out Where He Is
Confronts Jolyon after seeing Irene, asserting his marital rights and threatening to reclaim her.
XIV: Soames Discovers What He Wants
Soames is in a state of wary anger and indecision, torn between his attraction to Annette and his unresolved passion for Irene. He ultimately decides he wants Irene back as his lawful wife.
Soames Puts It to the Touch
Soames buys a diamond brooch for Irene's birthday and visits her flat, attempting to persuade her to return to him and bear him a son.
Visit to Irene
Mentioned as having visited Irene the previous night, demanding she return; his desire for a child is discussed.
Where Forsytes Fear to Tread
Devastated by Irene's rejection, he hires Polteed to spy on her, and later consults with lawyers about Winifred's divorce.
Dartie Versus Dartie
Manages the legal strategy, advises Winifred, and speaks with Val about polo and family finances.
Dinner at James'
Attends the dinner; questions Val about his enlistment and Jolly Forsyte's involvement; later broods alone about Irene and Jolyon.
XII: Progress of the Chase
Consults detective Polteed about Irene's activities in Paris; confronts Jolyon; struggles with possessive jealousy.
Here We Are Again!
Advises Winifred, expresses frustration at the situation, and accompanies her to see their parents.
Outlandish Night
Navigates the Mafeking Night crowd with disgust and bewilderment, reflecting on property and restraint, and returns home longing for a wife.
I: Soames in Paris
Travels to Paris to confront Irene; follows her through the Bois de Boulogne; becomes enraged by her refusal and writes a threatening note about Jolyon.
In the Web
Visits Madame Lamotte to discuss Annette and later meets with Mr. Polteed about the divorce case; feels like a fly in a web.
Soames Acts
Receives Polteed's letter confirming Irene's meetings with Jolyon, instructs solicitors, and reflects on his desire for a son.
A Summer Day
Serves divorce papers; visits Robin Hill to confront Irene and Jolyon; leaves feeling stripped and near violence.
A Summer Night
Left the study after a painful scene; his possessive attitude is contrasted with Jolyon's reflections.
James in Waiting
Returns home to his parents' house, reveals his plan to divorce Irene.
Out of the Web
Anxiously awaits his divorce trial, planning retirement and a 'Forsyte Bequest' of art; feels the scandal will tarnish the family name.
Passing of an Age
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.
Suspended Animation
Mentioned in context of his marriage to Annette and the impending birth of his child.
Birth of a Forsyte
Torn by the decision over Annette's childbirth, he chooses to risk her life for a chance at a live child, then learns the child is a daughter and that his father is dying.
XIII: James Is Told
Summoned to his father's deathbed; lies about Annette having a son to comfort James; grieves after James's death.
His
Returns home after James's funeral; receives news of Annette's delivery; feels disappointment at not having a son; names the baby Fleur and feels a renewed sense of possession.
Book III: To Let
Soames is now remarried to Annette and deeply concerned with his daughter Fleur's happiness. He remains possessive and protective, grappling with the changing social order and the lingering shadow of his past with Irene.
Encounter
Walking through London, anxious about taxes and the future, reflecting on his daughter Fleur and his second marriage.
Fine Fleur Forsyte
Soames is anxious and protective, trying to shield Fleur from the family history while grappling with his own unresolved feelings about Irene and the past.
At Robin Hill
Seen at the gallery and confectioner's with his daughter Fleur; described as grey but otherwise much the same.
The Mausoleum
Visits Timothy's house, reflecting on the past and the changes in society.
The Native Heath
Mentioned in the context of the family skeleton regarding his first wife Irene and his marriage to a Frenchwoman.
Goya
Anxious about Fleur's delay and Jon's proximity; contemplates selling a Gauguin; reflects on his acquisition of the Goya; interacts with Profond and Mont.
Caprice
Soames confronts Fleur about her continued contact with the Forsyte branch, expresses his displeasure, and later tears up a paper, showing his dislike of Prosper Profond.
Fathers and Daughters
Mentioned as Fleur's father; June visits his house; not directly present in the chapter.
Meetings
Referenced in conversation at the Iseeum; described as 'too dry a file' and 'once bit, twice shy'; his relationship with his wife is implied to be troubled.
In Green Street
Mentioned as having sold a Gauguin to Profond; his past marriage is the subject of the chapter's revelation.
Purely Forsyte Affairs
Visits the City to manage Forsyte trusts, ruminates on money and morality, and consults with Gradman.
Soames' Private Life
Receives an anonymous letter about Annette, confronts her, and resolves to avoid scandal for Fleur's sake.
IX: The Fat in the Fire
Reveals his past grand passion for Irene and his helplessness in the face of Fleur's feelings; warns Fleur about the deadlock.
Timothy Prophesies
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.
I: Old Jolyon Walks
Mentioned as the former husband of Irene and father of Fleur, central to the conflict.
Soames Cogitates
Cogitates on Jolyon's death, his daughter's future, and the changing times.
The Fixed Idea
Observes Fleur's distraction but dares not question her; debates with Michael Mont about property and marriage.
Embassy
Anxious about Fleur's whereabouts, he travels to Robin Hill to confront Irene and Jon about the proposed marriage, ultimately leaving defeated.
The Dark Tune
Returns from Robin Hill with news of Jon's rejection; feels dread and injustice; watches Fleur in anguish, reflecting on his past and his love for her.
Under the Oak-Tree
Visits Jon and Irene, leaves after a tense encounter.
Fleur's Wedding
Fleur's father, anxious about her marriage and her lingering feelings for Jon; he observes the guests with unease.
The Last of the Old Forsytes
Arranges Timothy's funeral and reflects on the family's decline and his own past.
