Possessiveness and the Sense of Property

The central theme of the novel, where the Forsyte family's obsession with ownership extends from material wealth to people, including wives and children, defining their relationships and conflicts.

The Forsytes' obsession with property and ownership is evident in their discussions of houses, investments, and even relationships.

Soames's view of Irene as a possession and his obsession with building a house symbolize the Forsyte attachment to property.

The epigraph's line 'The slaves are ours' directly introduces the theme of possession and ownership, central to the novel's exploration of property and relationships.

The Forsytes' identity is tied to property and possessions; their homes, shares, and even health are treated as forms of property. The family's tenacity and resistance to change reflect their possessive nature.