# Swithin Forsyte — The Forsyte Saga character guide

> Swithin Forsyte in The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Swithin, Uncle Swithin, Poor old Uncle Swithin, Swithin Forsyte, the bulky Swithin, old Swithin

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

## Snapshot

A portly, pompous Forsyte uncle who defends the family name over lunch and clings to a secret theory that distinguished blood must lurk somewhere in their ancestry.

## Who they are

Swithin belongs to the older generation of Forsytes, a bachelor of large appetites and larger self-regard who holds forth at Timothy's on the rumour about Irene. He waves away any suggestion of scandal with the conviction that the family's position is beyond reproach, yet privately hugs the hope that somewhere in their line there is something distinguished. His vanity and his anxious need for respectability make him a comic but telling emblem of the clan's self-satisfaction.

## Relationships

### [Irene Forsyte](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se/characters/irene_forsyte)

_family_

A strained in-law relationship with Swithin, who is disdainful of Irene's independence and beauty.

### [Irene Forsyte](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se/characters/irene_forsyte)

_family_

A strained in-law relationship with Swithin, who is disdainful of Irene's independence and beauty.

### [Irene Forsyte](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se/characters/irene_forsyte)

_family_

A strained in-law relationship with Swithin, who is disdainful of Irene's independence and beauty.

## In the story

### [Dinner at Swithin's](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se/chapters/part-i-iii-dinner-at-swithin-s)

Hosts the dinner, proud of his luxurious taste and wealth, anxious about the timing and wine.

### [Death of Aunt Ann](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se/chapters/part-i-ix-death-of-aunt-ann)

Takes one look at the body, leaves the room, and sits silently all evening.

### [Progress of the House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se/chapters/part-ii-i-progress-of-the-house)

Mentioned as the uncle with whom Irene plans to go for a drive.

### [Drive with Swithin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se/chapters/part-ii-iii-drive-with-swithin)

Takes Irene for a drive, proud of his horses and appearance; falls asleep at Robin Hill, embodying the possessive Forsyte spirit.

### [Afternoon at Timothy's](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se/chapters/part-ii-vii-afternoon-at-timothy-s)

Seated torpidly in a red satin chair; defends Irene, stating she may flirt but would not engage in scandal.

### [The Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se/chapters/part-iii-v-the-trial)

Listens to James's account of the trial at Timothy's.

### [Soames Breaks the News](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_forsyte_saga_se/chapters/part-iii-vi-soames-breaks-the-news)

Swithin is at Timothy's house and offers Irene a dinner invitation before leaving.

## Links

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