John Galsworthy's 'The Man of Property' introduces readers to the wealthy, materialistic Forsyte family, a Victorian-era clan whose lives are dominated by property, money, and social status. The novel centers on Soames Forsyte, a solicitor who views his beautiful wife, Irene, as another possession to be acquired and controlled. His possessive nature clashes dramatically with Irene's yearning for freedom and artistic expression, leading to a profound domestic crisis that exposes the moral and emotional sterility beneath the family's opulent facade. This poignant opening volume of 'The Forsyte Saga' brilliantly critiques the British upper-middle class's values.