The main impression I got from the first several chapters is how alone the Forsytes are,even amongst themselves. Old Jolyon running into his cast-off son(accidently on purpose)just to have conversation with someone,Soames wanting Irene to be more connected to him(really don't like him-anyone who wants to own his wife,body & soul,is just too controlling and creepy to me)and Irene,who seems like a prisoner of her marriage.