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- Overall Story
- Main Character
- Influence Character
- Relationship Story
Present
1. Overall Story Signpost 1James describes Doctor Sloper’s reputation as the story arises: “At the time at which we are chiefly concerned with him he was some fifty years of age, and his popularity was at its height” (2). At the time conflict in “Washington Square” begins, Catherine Sloper and her aunt, Mrs. Penniman, are to attend a party given by Mrs. Almond, sister to Doctor Sloper and Mrs. Penniman: Catherine had a great many cousins, and with her Aunt Almond’s children . . . she lived o...
Past
1. Overall Story Signpost 2Doctor Sloper inquires of his sister why she has taken an interest in Morris Townsend, an interest that is complicit in her efforts to see Catherine and Morris married: ‘And what makes him so interesting?—his good looks?’ ‘His misfortunes, Austin.’ ‘Ah, he has had misfortunes? That, of course is always interesting. Are you at liberty to mention a few of Mr. Townsend’s?’ ‘I don’t know that he would like it,’ said Mrs. Penniman. ‘He has told me a great deal abou...
Progress
1. Overall Story Signpost 3The objective characters take great interest in the progress of Catherine and Morris’ courtship, particularly Mrs. Penniman: Mrs. Penniman took too much satisfaction in the sentimental shadows of this little drama to have, for the moment, any great interest in dissipating them. She wished the plot to thicken, and the advice that she gave her niece tended, in her own imagination, to produce this result. It was rather incoherent counsel, and from one day to another i...
Conceiving
1. Main Character Signpost 1Catherine is inexperienced with flirtation. As the object of Morris Townsend’s attentions she observes her vivacious cousin for ideas of how to engage in courtship: ‘Oh, don’t tell him!’ Catherine murmured, imploringly. [Marian Almond replies]: ‘Don’t tell him he’s conceited! I have told him so a dozen times.’ At this profession of audacity Catherine looked down at her little companion in amazement. She supposed it because Marian was going to be married that s...
Being
1. Main Character Signpost 2Catherine fulfills the role of engaged young lady, presenting her lovers’ suit to her father. 2. Main Character Journey 2 from Being to BecomingCatherine begins the transformation from being an obedient daughter to a woman with a will of her own: Catherine meanwhile had made a discovery of a very different sort; it had become vivid to her that there was a great excitement in trying to be a good daughter. She had an entirely new feeling, which may be described as a...
Becoming
1. Main Character Signpost 3Catherine becomes less of her father’s daughter as she creates a new identity as Morris’ betrothed: She felt in every way at present more free and more resolute; there was a force that urged her. Now at last, completely and unreservedly, her passion possessed her. . . .she would do absolutely what Morris should think best. (James 122-23) 2. Main Character Journey 3 from Becoming to ConceptualizingOnce Catherine’s feelings for her father undergo a fundamental chang...
Understanding
1. Influence Character Signpost 1Doctor Sloper has a keen appreciation for what his sister, Lavinia, is like and, although he believes he understands his daughter, time will show he does not: Mrs. Penniman had never had a lover, but her brother, who was very shrewd, understood her turn of mind. ‘When Catherine is about seventeen,’ he said to himself, ‘Lavinia will try and persuade her that some young man with a moustache is in love with her. It will be quite untrue; no young man, with a mou...
Doing
1. Influence Character Signpost 2Doctor Sloper observes his daughter’s affection for Morris Townsend, refuses Morris’ suit for her hand; investigates the young man’s background for proof he is disreputable. 2. Influence Character Journey 2 from Doing to ObtainingAs Doctor Sloper does all he possibly can to dissolve the relationship between Catherine and Morris, he demands loyalty from his sister, Lavinia, for this cause.
Obtaining
1. Influence Character Signpost 3Doctor Sloper demands of Lavinia that she keep her communications with Morris Townsend to herself, and keep Catherine out of it: ‘You have taken up with young Townsend; that’s your own affair. I have nothing to do with your sentiments, your fancies, your affections, your delusions; but what I request of you is that you will keep these things to yourself. (James 102) 2. Influence Character Journey 3 from Obtaining to LearningDoctor Sloper makes every effort to...
Memory
1. Relationship Story Signpost 1It is established that Catherine is a reminder to Doctor Sloper of his deceased wife and son. The reminder is a particularly painful one as Catherine has none of the charm of his late wife, or promise of his late son. 2. Relationship Story Journey 1 from Memory to PreconsciousIn both Catherine and Doctor Sloper's recollections, Catherine has never been less than submissive to her father's will. As she falls in love with Morris, however, she impulsively favors h...
Preconscious
1. Relationship Story Signpost 2Catherine’s innate response to her father’s observation of the relationship between her and Morris is fear: “. . . going home with her father, and feeling him near, the poor girl, in spite of her sudden declaration of courage, began to tremble again” (James 52). 2. Relationship Story Journey 2 from Preconscious to SubconsciousTo Catherine’s assertion that she and Morris can wait a long time for her father’s consent, Doctor Sloper replies: “‘Of course; you can w...
Subconscious
1. Relationship Story Signpost 3During their travels in Europe, Doctor Sloper describes his essential feelings to Catherine: ‘I am very angry.’ She wondered what he meant—whether he wished to frighten her. If he did, the place was well chosen: this hard, melancholy dell, abandoned in the summer light, made her feel her loneliness. She looked around her, and her heart grew cold; for a moment her fear was great. But she could think of nothing to say, save to murmur, gently, ‘I am sorry.’ ‘...
Washington Square Summary. Dr. Austin Sloper, a socially prominent widower, a clever man, and a skilled physician, flourishes in New York City in the 1840s. 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 ...
Washington Square, short novel by Henry James, published in 1880 and praised for its depiction of the complicated relationship between a stubborn father and his daughter. The novel’s main character, Catherine Sloper, lives with her widowed aunt and her physician father in New York City’s.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
by Henry James. Buy Study Guide. Washington Square Study Guide. First serialized in Harper's Magazine in 1880, Washington Square is one of Henry James ' most famous (and most accessible) novels. In 1881, Washington Square was published in novel form the same year that Portrait of a Lady was published.
Need help on themes in Henry James's Washington Square? Check out our thorough thematic analysis. From the creators of SparkNotes.
Complete summary of Henry James' Washington Square. eNotes plot summaries cover all the significant action of Washington Square.
