I. Write out the words and phrases used by Galsworthy to describe the appearance, manner and character of Bosinney and each of the Forsytes present at the family festival. Use the words and phrases in your answers to the questions (Ex. 4).
II. Pick out from the text sentences with a touch of irony at the expense of the Forsytes and comment on them.
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III. Pick out a short passage (half a page) to be translated into Russian in class.
IV. Answer the following questions;
1. When does the action of the novel take place? 2. What do you know of England of those days? 3. What was the reason for an "at home" at old Jolyon's? 4. Why does Galsworthy call those who were present "privileged" and the assemblage "instructive"? 5. Why did the Forsytes not appreciate the gift of psychological analysis? 6. What were the relations between various branches of the Forsytes? 7. What characterized them as a formidable unit of society? 8. Why does Galsworthy compare the Forsytes with a tree in full foliage? 9. Why were all the Forsytes always present when an important event took place in the family? 10. What united them all on that day? 11. In what did their resentment express itself? 12. What did they resent? 13. What did Swithin Forsyte look like? 14. What did his brother James look like? 15. What did old Jolyon call those two twins? 16. What did James's son Soames look like? 17. What did Soames's cousin George look like? 18. What three old ladies were present? 19. What did old Jolyon look like? 20. What distinguished him from the rest of the Forsytes? 21. What did the five brothers (old Jolyon, James, Swithin, Nicholas and Roger) have in common? 22. In what did the younger generation differ from them? 23. Who was the object of the Forsytes' resentment and distrust? 24. What did Bosinney look like? What was known of him? 25. What role did the incident with the soft grey hat play in the Forsytes' attitude to Bosinney? 26. What did George think of the incident? 27. Why did George nickname Bosinney "the Buccaneer"? 28. What did June look like? What was known of her? 29. What made it difficult for the Forsytes to select a proper wedding gift? 30. Who was Irene? What did she look like? 31. Why does Galsworthy call her "a passive goddess"? 32. Why did James wonder at old Jolyon's allowing the engagement? 33. What made James uneasy of conscience? 34. What did James mean by saying about Soames's marriage "it's just as well as it is"? 35. Which of the old Forsytes was not present? What was the reason? 36. What posit ion did Aunt Ann hold among the Forsytes? 37. What did Nicholas Forsyte look like? 38. What did Nicholas, Swithin and James talk about? Were they sympathetic about one another's ailments? 39. What was the only world that Aunt Ann knew and valued? 40. What did she think of old Jolyon's son? 41. What was her opinion of Soames? 42. Why did Aunt Ann think that Irene ought not to see so much of June? 43. What was known of the Forsytes' ancestors and how did they allude to them? 44. What was the financial position of most of the Forsytes? 45. Where did the Forsytes reside? 46. What did Mrs. James mean by saying "Did you ever see such a collection of rumty-too people?" 47. What comments about Irene, Soames and Bosinney did other Forsytes make on leaving the house?
V. Answer the following questions and motivate your answers:
1. What was characteristic of all the Forsytes? 2. The Forsytes had a high regard for appearances. What do you think of their attitude?
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3. The Forsytes might seem a united family to a stranger. Were they really? 4. How do the comments they made about one another characterize them? 5. With what character introduced in Chapter One does Galsworthy sympathise?
VI. Retell the chapter close to the text.
VII. Give a precis of the chapter.
VIII. a) Learn by heart the dialogues that took place between:
- Soames and Aunt Ann during the party.
- Nicholas and Roger after the party.
b) Reproduce them with a partner.
I. a) Write out the words and phrases used by Galsworthy to describe:
- The appearance and character of old Jolyon.
- The appearance and character of young Jolyon.
b) Use them in the discussion of the characters.
II. Pick out from the text sentences with a touch of irony at the expense of old Jolyon. Comment on them.
III. Pick out a short passage to be translated into Russian in class.
IV. Make up 20 questions about the contents of the chapter.
V. Answer the following questions and motivate your answers:
1. What does Galsworthy mean by the phrase "the Rembrandtesque effect" of his (old Jolyon's) great head? 2. How does old Jolyon's attitude towards June's engagement characterize him as a Forsyte? 3. What was the secret of his success in business? 4. In which case did old Jolyon act as a typical Forsyte: when he broke off with his son or when he reconciled with him? 5. What do you think of the apparent lack of emotions father and son displayed when they met?
VI. Explain the meaning of the sayings and say in what connection they are used in the text:
1. to cut one's coat according to one's cloth; 2. to go to the dogs
VII. Retell the chapter close to the text.
VIII. Give a precis of the chapter.
IX. Make up dialogues discussing:
- Old Jolyon's attitude towards June's marriage with Bosinney.
- The way old Jolyon and young Jolyon met.
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I. Write out the words and phrases used by Galsworthy to describe Irene. Use them in the discussion of the chapter.
II. Pick out from the text sentences characterizing the relations between Irene and Soames. Comment on their relations.
III. Pick out a short passage to be translated into Russian in class.
IV. Answer the following questions:
1. Did the way Swithin's dining-room was furnished characterize him as a man of good taste? 2. Was Swithin satisfied with his life? 3. What made Swithin order another bottle of champagne? 4. Why did Mrs. Chessman's remark about Swithin getting stout send his temper up? 5. What did Mrs. Small (Aunt Juley) look like? 6. For what did Mrs. Small have quite a reputation? 7. Whom did the Forsytes call "a regular Juley"? 8. Which of the guests did Swithin welcome" especially warmly? Why? 9. What was characteristic of the family dinners given by the Forsytes? 10. What was the crowning point of a Forsyte's feast? 11. Why was the saddle of mutton of prime importance? 12. Why did Soames watch Bosinney? 13. What did Soames think of the look in Irene's eyes? 14. Why and how did June speak to James about a site for a house? 15. Why did the talk make June indignant and James disturbed? 16. What was money to James? 17. Why did he think that there was no reason for Irene to be unhappy? 18. Why was he glad that Irene had no money? 19. What argument did a group of statuary in Italian marble arouse? 20. What was Bosinney's opinion?
V. Answer the following questions and motivate your answers:
1. How does the dinner given by Swithin characterize the Forsytes? 2. What remarks made by the Forsytes characterize them as selfish people without any regard for the feelings of one another? 3. What shows that Irene and Bosinney were outsiders? 4. What is your opinion of people who think purely in terms of money? 5. How is the attitude of the Forsytes towards art revealed in the discussion of the group of statuary?
VI. Retell the chapter close to the text.
VII. Give a precis of the chapter.
VIII. a) Learn by heart the dialogue that took place between June and James at dinner.
b) Reproduce it with a partner.
I. Write out words and phrases referring to Soames's appearance. Use them in the discussion of the character.
II. Discuss the way Galsworthy brings out Soames's character through the description of his appearance.
III. Pick out a short passage to be translated into Russian in class. 344
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IV. Answer the following questions:
1. What did Soames think of Irene's attitude towards him? 2. What was the reason for Irene's hostility? Why couldn't Soames understand the obvious truth? 3. Whom did Soames blame? Was he right? 4. What had Soames forgotten? 5. Why did Soames collect pictures? 6. Why did he not show them to Irene? 7. What made Soames determine to build a country-house? 8. What kind of house did he want? 9. What kind of an architect did he need? 10. Why did he think of hiring Bosinney? 11. What did he ask Bosinney to do? Why was he so cautious as to his intentions? 12. What did Soames think of Bosinney's clothes? 13. What did Bosinney mean by saying "Women are the devil"? What did Soames mean when he agreed with Bosinney? 14. What site did Bosinney suggest for building the house? 15. What made Soames agree? How did he feel about his decision?
V. Answer the following questions and motivate your answers:
1. What proves that Soames regarded Irene as his property? 2. What do you know of St. Paul's Cathedral? Why did it attract Soames? 3. What shows that Soames was a businessman?
VI. Retell the chapter close to the text.
VII. Give a precis of the chapter.
VIII. Make up-a dialogue between a person who wants to have a country-house built and the architect.
I. Write out words and phrases referring to the appearance and character of Irene and Soames. Use them in the discussion of the chapter.
II. Pick out from the text the sentence in which a hint is dropped that Irene is in love. Comment on it.
III. Pick out a short passage to be translated into Russian in class.
IV. Make up 20 questions about the chapter.
V. Answer the following questions and motivate your answers:
1. What does Galsworthy mean by saying: "In this conflict throughout the house the woman had gone to the wall"? 2. What is Speech Day in England? 3. How does Galsworthy show that Soames was a man of property?
VI. Retell the chapter close to the text.
VII. Give a precis of the chapter.
VIII. Learn by heart the talk between Irene and Soames.
I. Write out words and phrases referring to James's attitude to Irene.
II. Explain the meaning of the saying "The grey mare was the better horse". Comment on how it is used in the text,
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III. Pick out a short passage to be translated into Russian in class.
IV. Make up 20 questions about the contents of the chapter.
V. Answer the following questions and motivate your answers.
1. What does the title of the chapter mean? 2. What were the relations between James and Soames? Do you approve of such relations between father and son? 3. What kind of man was James? Where did his interests lie? 4. Why did James come to the conclusion that things were in a bad way at Soames? Were they?
VI. Retell the chapter close to the text.
VII. Learn by heart the dialogue between Irene and James.
Give a precis of the chapter and explain the title.
a) Write out the words and phrases used by Galsworthy to describe:
- Bosinney's character and way of living.
- June and her character.
- Irene and her mood.
b) Use them in the discussion of the three characters.
II. Pick out from the text sentences that show how mistaken Soames was as to the relations between Irene and Bosinney. Comment on them.
III. Pick out a short passage to be translated into Russian in class.
IV. Make up 20 questions about the contents of the chapter.
V. Answer the following questions and motivate your answers!
1. With what animal does Galsworthy compare the Forsytes? Why? 2. What is a habitat? 3. How does Galsworthy contrast Bosinney to the Forsytes? 4. What were Bosinney's views on architecture? Do you share them? 5. Why was it of prime importance to Soames to be identified with a gentleman? Was he a gentleman? 6. What made Irene say that Bosinney was very good-looking?
VI. Retell the chapter close to the text.
VII. Learn by heart one of the dialogues of the chapter.
I. Answer the following questions:
1. How did Aunt Juley and Aunt Hester feel about Aunt Ann's death? 2. What had she been to them? 3. How did Swithin take the sad news? 4. What were old Jolyon's thoughts? 5. Which of the brothers and sisters manifested the most emotion? Why? 6. Why did the days
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before the funeral pass quietly? 7. What shows that George disliked Soames? 8. Who was the only one who was not in mourning? Why did some of the Forsytes envy him though they were shocked? 9. What did the Forsytes talk about on their way to the cemetery? 10. How did they feel when they left the graveyard? 11. Why was Soames in high spirits? How does that characterize him?
II. Answer the following questions and motivate your answers:
1. Why was Aunt Ann's death a shock to the elder generation of the Forsytes? 2. What shows that even at a moment of grief the Forsytes never forgot about their property? 3. What does the proverb "Pride comes before fall" mean? How does Galsworthy use it? 4. What was the symbolic meaning of Aunt Ann's funeral for the Forsytes?
III. Retell the chapter close to the text.
IV. Give a precis of part I of the book.
I. Write out words and phrases referring to Irene's appearance. Use them in the discussion of the character.
II. Pick out a short passage to be translated into Russian in class. III. Make up 20 questions about the contents of the chapter.
IV. Answer the following questions and motivate your answers;
1. What traits of Bosinney's and Soames’ characters contributed to their quarrel? 2. Was Bosinney right in saying that Soames wanted a first-rate man for a fourth-rate fee? 3. What, was the reason for the sulky anger Soames had felt all the afternoon? 4. How do the events depicted in the chapter show the relations between Irene and Bosinney?
V. Give a precis of the chapter.
I. Pick out phrases and sentences that show how each of the four felt at dinner. Speak on how Galsworthy reveals their emotions and relations without speaking of them directly.
II. Pick out a short passage to be translated into Russian in class.
III. Answer the following questions:
1. What kind of spring evening was it? 2. What had puzzled June about her relations with Bosinney of late? 3. Why had June looked forward to that evening? 4. How did she feel when they came to the theatre? 5. How did Bosinney feel? 6. What made June ask him to take her to see the house in Robin Hill on Sunday? 7. Why did he refuse? Did he explain to June the reason for his refusal? 8. How was June discussed at Timothy's? 9. What did old Jolyon guess about June's
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state? 10. What were old Jolyons' misgivings concerning June? 11. What did old Jolyon think of Bosinney?
IV. Answer the following questions and motivate your answers:
1. How does Galsworthy describe the spring evening? What effect did spring have on the people? How do you feel in spring? 2. What is the meaning of the title of the chapter?
V. Give a precis of the chapter.
VI. Learn by heart and reproduce with a partner the talk between June and Bosinney at the theatre.
I. Write out phrases showing Swithin's opinion of Irene. Comment on them.
II. Make up 20 questions about the contents of the chapter.
III. Explain the meaning of the following phrases and sayings and comment on how they are used in the text:
a flea in one's ear; to give smb. a rub; charity begins at home
IV. Answer the following questions and motivate your answers:
1. What was Swithin's impression of the house? Was it typical of a Forsyte? 2. How does Galsworthy describe what took place between Irene and Bosinney while Swithin was asleep? 3. What made Swithin think of the house as "a great ugly thing" when he awoke? 4. Why did Swithin say to Bosinney: "Why, you're quite a Monte Cristo"? 5. In what was Swithin right and in what was he mistaken as to the relations between Irene and Bosinney?
V. Give a precis of the chapter.
I. Write out the words and phrases used by Galsworthy to describe James's and Basinney's appearance. Use them in the discussion of the chapter.
II. Write out sentences with a touch of irony and say how the ironic effect is achieved.
III. Pick out a short passage to be translated into Russian in class.
IV. Answer the following questions:
1. Why did the Forsytes tell June the full story of Swithin's drive? 2. What conclusions did the aunts draw from her being upset? 3. How did the younger Forsytes protest against their affairs being pried into? What came of that? 4. What was James's attitude towards gossip over other people's affairs? 5. Why was he so much affected by the rumour about Irene and Bosinney? 6. What made him .unable to understand the situation? 7. Why did James determine to go and see for himself? 8. What did Bosinney ask James as soon as he saw him? 9. Why did the question make James uneasy? 10. How did James and Bosinney discuss the cost of the house? 11. How did they discuss the oak-tree? 12. Why
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did James stifle his curiosity whenever he desired to know the cost of something? 13. Why did Bosinney try to show James as much as possible? 14. What did James think of Bosinney? 15. Why did James ask Bosinney what Irene thought of the house? 16. Why did Bosinney reply in such an odd way? 17. What was Bosinney's final question? 18. Why did James feel disheartened after the visit? 19. Why did Bosinney watch him sadly?
V. Answer the following questions and motivate your answers:
1. What does Galsworthy say about the "Forsyte Change"? How does the way they gossiped characterize them? 2. Why does Galsworthy compare love with a wild flower? What was the Forsytes' attitude towards love? 3. What do you think of the way Bosinney treated James?
VI. Give a precis of the chapter.
VII. Learn by heart and reproduce with a partner the talk between Bosinney and James.
I. Write out and translate into Russian phrases that characterize Soames as a lawyer. Explain why he was popular with his clients
II. Answer the following questions:
1. How did the Forsytes learn of Irene meeting with Bosinney in the Groceries? 2. What attracted Euphemia's attention when she was passing through the Groceries? 3. Why did she resent the sight? 4. What made her think that such figures were rarely connected with virtue? 5. Why did Euphemia conceal herself as soon as she recognized Irene and Bosinney? 6. How did Euphemia describe what she had seen? 7. Why did the way Irene looked after Bosinney worry Euphemia? 8. Why did Euphemia nod to Irene? 9. How and why did James try to save the situation? Did he succeed? 10. What reasons for wanting to have a free hand did Bosinney give in his letter to Soames? 11. What defence was Soames drawing up at the time? 12. What feeling had haunted him for some time? 13. What were Soames's duties in the New Colliery Company? 14. What was discussed at that meeting? 15. What argument arose? 16. Who was for the payment of money to the widow of the deceased and who was against that? 17. What was the final decision? 18. What were the relations between old Jolyon and Soames? 19. What did Soames want of old Jolyon? 20. Why did old Jolyon refuse him? 21. What did the correspondence between Soames and Bosinney result in?
III. Answer the following questions and motivate your answers:
1. What does Galsworthy say of the eternal position of Art towards Property? In what connection is it mentioned? 2. What shows that old Jolyon had a way with him? 3. Why did Bosinney insist that he should have a free hand in decorating the house? What made Soames agree? Did they mean the same by the term "free hand"?
IV. Retell the chapter close to the text.
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V. Give a precis of fhe chapter.
VI. Learn by heart and reproduce with a partner the talk that took place between Soatnes and old Jolyon.
Give a precis of the chapter.
I. Write out words, phrases and sentences that characterize old Jolyon. Translate them into Russian in written form. Use them in the discussion of the character.
II. Make up 20 questions about the contents of the chapter.
III. Answer the following questions and motivate your answers:
1. What were the relations between the six brothers? What do you think of such relations? 2. Why does Galsworthy call Frances "a standing illustration of the attitude of Forsytes towards the Arts"? 3. What was Dartie's opinion of the Forsytes? Do you agree with him?
IV. Give a precis of the chapter.
I. Write out phrases and sentences that refer to the emotions and behaviour of Soames, Irene and June. Translate them into Russian in written form. Use them in the discussion of the chapter.
II. Make up 20 questions about the contents of the chapter.
III. Answer the following questions and motivate your answers:
1. Why did Soames think that the ball at Roger's was very second-class? Was it? 2. What made June go to the ball? Why did she leave as soon as she came?
IV. Retell the chapter close to the text.
V. Give a precis of the chapter.
Give a precis of the chapter.
I. Write out phrases and sentences that characterize the nature of a Forsyte. Translate them into Russian in written form. Use them in the discussion of the chapter.
II. Answer the following questions and motivate your answers:
1. Why did young Jolyon read old Jolyon's letter with a mixture of sympathy and disgust? 2. Was young Jolyon right in thinking that the Forsytes possessed the eye for what they wanted, the tenacity to hold on to it and the "sense of property"? Were those traits characteristic
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of him? 3. Do you agree with young Jolyon that "so long as a Forsyte got what he was after, he was not too particular about the means, provided appearances were saved"? 4. Was old Jolyon justified in asking his son to speak to Bosinney? 5. Why did young Jolyon feel sympathy for Bosinney as he watched him? 6. How did young Jolyon feel about art? How did Bosinney feel about it? 7. How did young Jolyon try to warn Bosinney against fighting a Forsyte? Did he succeed or fail in his mission? 8. How did young Jolyon describe a Forsyte and his grip on property? 9. In what did young Jolyon differ from the other Forsytes and what did he have in common with them?
III. Explain the meaning of the following proverbs and say what young Jolyon meant by them:
1. A man's fate lies in his own heart. 2. The proof of the pudding is in its eating.
I. Write out phrases and sentences that characterize Irene and Soames. Translate them into Russian in written form. Use them in the discussion of the chapter.
II. Retell the chapter close to the text.
III. Explain the title of the chapter.
IV. Learn by heart and reproduce with a-partner the talk that took place between Irene and Soames.
Give a precis of the chapter,
I. Write tout phrases and sentences that characterize Soames as a man of property. Translate them into Russian in written form. Use them in the discussion of the chapter.
II. Answer the following questions and motivate your answers:
1. Why do you think Soames said to his father: "I won't have anything said against her"? 2. James wished to be kind to Irene and "to give her every chance". What chance did he mean? 3. What impression did the house make on James? 4. What do you think of the way Soames behaved on learning that the limit of twelve thousand pounds would be exceeded by something like four hundred? 5. What were the main reasons for his violent anger?
III. Give a precis of the chapter.
IV. Learn by heart and reproduce with a partner the talk between Irene and Soames.
I. Give a precis of the chapter. - II. Give a precis of part II.
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I. Write out phrases and sentences: a) characterizing Soames; b) dealing with legal proceedings; translate them into Russian in written form and use them in the discussion of the chapter.
II. Answer the following questions and motivate your answers:
1. What do you think of Soames's bringing a suit against Bosinney claiming from him the sum of 350 pounds? Did the sum mean as much to Soames as to Bosinney? 2. What point in their correspondence was to Bosinney's advantage? Why did it worry Soames? 3. Why was Soames unable to believe that Irene hated him? 4. What part did Mrs. MacAnder play in this stage of the tragedy? What were her reasons? 5. Why did Mrs. Small cut short Mrs. MacAnder's remarks?
III. Give a precis of the chapter.
I. Give a precis of the chapter.
II. Explain the symbolic meaning of the night in the park.
I. Make up questions to be answered and motivated.
II. Give a precis of the chapter.
I. Answer the following questions:
1. How did Soames spend the day? 2. What was the weather like when he was going home? 3. Who attracted his attention. 4. What might any respectable Forsyte think of that solitary man? 5. What made George follow Bosinney? 6. Whose face did George catch a glimpse of at the carriage window? 7. What change did George's feelings undergo as he was following Bosinney? 8. What made George touch Bosinney on the shoulder? 9. Where did George think Bosinney was going? Why did he find the idea attractive? 10. Why did a longing to comfort Bosinney seize George? 11. How did George happen to lose Bosinney?
II. Answer the following questions and motivate your answers:
1. Why did George tell Dartie of Bosinney and why did he refuse to admit that the lady was Irene? 2. Why is the chapter entitled "Voyage into the Inferno"?
III. Give a precis of the chapter.
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I. Write out words and phrases dealing with legal proceedings. Translate them inlo Russian in written form. Use them in the discussion of the chapter.
II. Answer the following questions:
1. What questions were decided by the court? 2. Of whom did the audience consist? 3. What did Mr. Waterbuck say in his speech? 4. How did Soames behave during the cross-examination? 5. What placed Bo-sinney's Counsel in an awkward position? 6. How did he try to turn Bosinney's absence to his advantage? 7. What were the main points of his speech? 8. What judgement did. Mr. Justice Bentham deliver? What proofs did he produce? 9. What account of the trial did James give at Timothy's? 10. What impression did Timothy's apparition make on James?
III. Answer the following questions and motivate your answers:
1. What did James mean by inviting Irene and Soames to dinner? Why did Soames smile? 2. Why was James pleased that Soames alone was "represented by silk"? 3. Why did Bosinney's absence make James feel uneasy? 4. Why did Soames win the case?
IV. Give a precis of the trial.
V. Make up a dialogue between two persons who were present at the trial discussing the case.
I. Write out phrases and sentences dealing with Soames's doubts as to what course to pursue at home. Translate them into Russian in written form. Comment on them.
II. Make up 20, questions about the contents of the chapter.
III. Answer the following questions and motivate your answers:
1. Why did Soames need sympathy now that he had won his case? 2. What made Mrs. Small and Aunt Hester think that the family was breaking up? Was it? 3. Why did Soames say "Mrs. MacAnder is a cat"? 4. What do you think Soames's intentions might be when he rushed to Bosinney's place? 5. Why did Soames try to recollect when he had last given Irene a cheque? 6. Why did Soames keep his promise to come to dinner at his father's place? 7. Why did he search Irene's room? 8. When and how did Soames betray a Forsyte in him? 9. Do you agree with Galsworthy that "such moments pass quickly"? Why?
IV. Give a precis of the chapter.
V. Learn by heart and reproduce with a partner the talk that took place between Soames and James.
I. Give a precis of the chapter.
II. Explain the title of the chapter.
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Make up 20 questions about the contents of the chapter.
I. Retell the chapter close to the text.
II. Give a precis of part III.
Suggested Topics for the Discussion of the Book (or a Written Composition)
- John Galsworthy, his life and literary Career.
- Great Britain in the eighties of the XIXth century.
- The conflict between art and property in the novel "The Man of Property".
- Soames, a man of property.
- Irene as opposed to the Forsytes.
- Bosinney as opposed to the Forsytes.
- James Forsyte.
- Old Jolyon.
- Young Jolyon.
- Forsytism and Galsworthy's criticism of it.
- The merits and the shortcomings of the novel.
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1
John Galsworthy. "The Forsyte Saga", M., 1956.
