Morris and Catherine get engaged, and Dr. Sloper is displeased, though he responds gently to Catherine at first. Catherine takes this as good news and she is eager to get married. Some years ago, Dr. Sloper had lost his beloved wife, Catherine Harrington Sloper, and a little boy; he is left with his disappointing daughter, Catherine Sloper, who is plain, modest, and obedient. Dr. Sloper has two sisters, Mrs. Penniman and Mrs. Almond, and they are quite different. When Catherine is ten years old, Dr. Sloper invites his sister, Mrs. Penniman, to stay with him. Published in 1880, it tells the story of Catherine Sloper, the daughter of wealthy doctor Austin Sloper. Women’s … On this first visit, however, Arthur (Morris' cousin) spends most of his time speaking to Catherine, while Morris spends his time charming Aunt Lavinia. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Washington Square. In Catherine's depression over this argument, Mrs. Penniman assumed Mr. Townsend ended the engagement and she tells Catherine of his intentions. Washington Square Character Analysis | LitCharts. Mrs. Almond is prudent and kind and throughout the novel she gives Dr. Sloper some good advice that he unfortunately discards. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. Literature Guides Poetry Guides Literary Terms Shakespeare Translations ... LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Washington Square, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. His wife, Catherine, gives birth to as on who dies at the age of three. Washington Square Summary & Study Guide includes comprehensive information and analysis to He considers her not-very-clever, and so she remains quiet - evidence of what she is not. To what extent is the relationship between Catherine and Dr Sloper an expression of Catherine’s independence. A young man named Austin Sloper has made a name for himself as a medical doctor. The reader is disappointed in Sloper because of his disappointment. This fear grows as Dr. Sloper becomes aware that his daughter is not only unattractive, but that she lacks the intelligence of her mother and himself. “Washington Square” begins with shy, unattractive Catherine Sloper, an heiress who is moving past the first bloom of her youth—living under the roof of her handsome, domineering father, Doctor Sloper. Completing the CAPTCHA proves you are a human and gives you temporary access to the web property. Dr. Sloper remains decidedly disappointed in his dull, boring, plain-faced daughter. Ultimately, it is Aunt Almond who forges a meaningful relationship with Catherine. Before he can do this, Mr. Townsend and Catherine argue over a trip to New Orleans he plans to make. Teachers and parents! She dismisses Townsend after a few minutes - it is clear that she does not love him at all. Catherine, devastated, finally sees through Morris and is also furious with Aunt Penniman for meddling in their courtship all along. In these early chapters we meet the main characters of this short novel: Dr. Sloper, his daughter, Catherine; Dr. Sloper's two sisters: Mrs. Almond and Mrs. Penniman, and Catherine's eventual suitor, Morris Townsend. After Catherine returns to Washington Square, everyone notices her growth in confidence—with the exception of Morris, who now decides, in light of Dr. Sloper’s stubbornness, to break the engagement. Also, Mrs. Almond is less imaginative and impractical than Lavinia is. Not affiliated with Harvard College. Gaining Independence. Some years ago, Dr. Sloper had lost his beloved wife, Catherine Harrington Sloper, and a little boy; he is left with his disappointing daughter, Catherine Sloper, who is plain, modest, and obedient. Dr. Sloper learns that Morris, about 30, squandered a small inheritance abroad and is now supported by his widowed sister. Dr. Sloper or Morris Townsend, who has the capability of hurting Catherine the most? Marian, one of Aunt Almond's daughters, has become engaged to a man named Arthur Townsend. Struggling with distance learning? In later years, Catherine has other opportunities to marry, but she prefers to remain an “old maid,” devoting herself to charity and being a confidant for younger women. Two years later, Catherine gives birth to a daughter named Catherine - but the childbirth is difficulty and the mother dies. It should be noted that prior to the appearance of Morris the Doctor is quoted as being critical of his daughter. Catherine learns that Dr. Sloper has cut her inheritance to nearly nothing because she refused to promise she would not marry Morris Townsend. However, when Mr. Townsend comes to her two years later, at Mrs. Penniman's suggestion, Catherine refuses to even consider a friendship with him. He is a far-flung cousin of Arthur's, and has been traveling the world. Mrs. Almond (Elizabeth - we learn this later in the novel) is married to a prosperous merchant and she has several children. Even when Aunt Lavinia asks Catherine for the young man's name, Catherine replies, "I don't know.". Aunt Lavinia serves as an intermediary between the two young people - she has Morris' biographical information and Catherine's as well. Catherine goes some time without setting her eye on a particular beau. Washington Square is a romance that is more tragic than inspiring, a story of the dangers of a man's influence on the opinions of the woman in his life. Still, Catherine is "good," at least. Realizing that Catherine will arrive with a seriously diminished fortune, Morris backs out of the marriage, cowardly. Catherine falls deeply in love with Mr. Townsend and is therefore pleased when he expresses a desire to marry her. Dr. Austin Sloper, a socially prominent widower, a clever man, and a skilled physician, flourishes in New York City in the 1840s. everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of Washington Square. Catherine reveals these details to no one, although it is not difficult to see that her heart has been broken. Weeks later, he mails a five page letter from Philadelphia. The daughter is named Catherine, after her mother, but in Dr. Sloper's eyes, young Catherine lacks all the grace, intelligence, and beauty of her mother. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. He is a public celebrity, but a private terror. Washington Square Summary. The novel is not all that suspenseful; the characters are so delimited and so precise, that it is not very hard to predict the outcome of events. If there is any suspense in the novel, it comes in finding out precisely who Catherine is. Morris spends an inordinate amount of time with Lavinia Penniman because she supports his interest in marrying Catherine. From the creators of SparkNotes. Morris Townsend is described as beautiful, dashing, an "actor." Washington Square begins with a portrait of Dr. Austin Sloper, a respectable physician. Dr. Sloper lives in the Washington Square neighborhood in Manhattan, and he has a well-defined code of values and taste. His work is medicine, and yet he is rather cruel. Dr. Sloper convinces his daughter of this fact and encourages her to break off the engagement, but she refuses. After six months, Catherine remains firm in her intent, so the doctor extends the trip for another six months, but this proves ineffective. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class.”, LitCharts uses cookies to personalize our services. In the carriage home, Dr. Sloper applies his interrogative pressure, but he finds that Aunt Lavinia's excitement is matched - for intensity - in Catherine's detached silence. Left at home alone, Lavinia develops her own social circle and Morris Townsend is a regular guest at the Sloper home. What is his opinion of her? James was already living in London when he wrote the work, but he actually wrote Washington Square in Paris. This Study Guide consists of approximately 23 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - Aunt Lavinia finds the opportunity to have a very detailed conversation with Mr. Townsend and she is excited about the prospects of a romance. He invites Morris to dinner and quickly decides that he is “not a gentleman” and therefore unacceptable as a suitor for Catherine. Lavinia is defined by her imagination - a contrast to both of her siblings. At the same time, Aunt Lavinia does such a good job of sparking up a romance between Catherine and Morris that Catherine comes to believe that Morris does love her. LitCharts Teacher Editions. Mr. Townsend, a member of the stockbroker's family, attends the party and expresses a healthy interest in Catherine. Father and daughter relationship. Dr. Sloper is almost immediately disappointed in Catherine. Because of him, she turns her back on her father's advice, and as a result, effectively... Why does he spend so much time with Aunt Penniman? Sloper's two sisters, Elizabeth Almond and Lavinia Penniman, are unalike. Quickly, the novel moves forward to Catherine's late adolescence and early adulthood. What is his opinion of her? Over the course of the novel, we come to see that Dr. Sloper sees Catherine as falling short of his expectations. It is from Lavinia that Catherine and Morris have learned much of what they know of each other. Washington Square: Themes . He further suspects that Morris has “mercenary” motives and is primarily interested in Catherine’s inheritance, not Catherine herself. Catherine may not be a genius, but there is no evidence that Catherine is "dull." She is susceptible to the charms of Morris Townsend, a lovely man without a conscience or money of his own. Washington Square E-Text contains the full text of Washington Square. Together they have a perfect life that is made richer when a son is born. Morris will return to the Sloper home again, having been invited by Aunt Lavinia. The Question and Answer section for Washington Square is a great Washington Square begins with a portrait of Dr. Austin Sloper, a respectable physician. Halfway through the European tour, during a walk in the Alps, Dr. Sloper coldly confronts Catherine for her failure to break things off with Morris. Consequently, Dr. Sloper finds it difficult to pry Catherine away from Morris. Though Sloper never explicitly says this to Catherine., Sloper's dismissive and sarcastic air really stunts Catherine's intellectual and emotional growth. In my opinion, Townsend has the ability to hurt Catherine most based on his motives and misleading actions. At Marian's engagement party, Catherine meets Morris Townsend, a smooth-talking and very good looking young man. Seventeen years pass and Dr. Sloper becomes ill, dying from pneumonia. She thinks the smooth-talking Morris is the most handsome man she has ever seen. When it seems that Catherine will remain defiant, Dr. Sloper asks her to postpone her plans and accompany him on a trip to Europe. Mrs. Penniman and Dr. Sloper eventually came to an unspoken agreement, by which she remained in her brother's house and took charge of Catherine's education and development into a young woman of refinement. Lavinia is his one ally. Mrs. Penniman sees more in Catherine than Catherine's father does - but Dr. Sloper is lord of the manor and highly effective in stamping his impressions of Catherine upon Catherine's psyche. Indeed, it seems that she has already made up her mind that Morris should marry Catherine. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. Lavinia is alone. Apparently, Morris does not have a father and he lives with his sister and her children. Aunt Penniman orchestrates one last meeting between Catherine and the much aged Morris, but Catherine, though forgiving, steadfastly refuses to be friends with the man who hurt her so irreparably. Washington Square is a novel by Henry James. He does not want Catherine, he wants her money. Elizabeth proves to be level-headed and compassionate. This novel takes place in the Manhattan neighborhood of Washington Square in the mid-nineteenth century. At this same party, Morris meets aunt Lavinia and, seizing the opportunity, he tells her that he very much enjoyed his conversation with Catherine.

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