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Washington Square Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Washington Square


Washington Square describes the adult life of Catherine Sloper, daughter of a wealthy, intense, intelligent and sarcastic father and a brilliantly beautiful mother who died soon after childbirth. She is raised by her father and his sister, a meddling and overly romantic widow. Unfortunately for Catherine, she is neither clever nor beautiful and her father notes this, but little else about her.
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The setting, 19th Century New York, finds Catherine unmarried by the age of 22 - approaching old maid-hood for that era. Her life is brightened by a young interloper named Moriss Townsend, who endears himself to her because he is charmed by her future prospescts of immense wealth.

Dr. Sloper takes an almost immediate dislike to Mr. Townsend and forbids his daughter to marry, informing her she will be disinherited of her money should she go against his wishes. This idea diminishes her charm for Mr. Townsend. When he breaks off their engagement in a cruel way, Dr. Sloper finds out and he gloats.

The last portion of the book follows Catherine's independent life as a spinster. Her Aunt, in a cruel twist, introduces Mr. Townsend back into Catherine's life during their middle age.
The review of this Book prepared by Suze




In Washington Square, Henry James put his awesome powers of psychological examination into service to portray the effect of a wise, but hard-hearted father on his sensitive and naive daughter. She is wooed by a man whom the father is certain wants only her money and he makes clear that he will withhold said money at his death should she marry him. She desires the marriage anyway and is very hurt when her lover pulls back (regardless of his excuses - he validates her father's judgment of him). In the end, after the father is dead, he tries again and her rebuke of him is powerful and priceless - as well as sorrowful - since it locks her into a life of loneliness.
The review of this Book prepared by Kelly Whiting



Chapter Analysis of Washington Square

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Plot & Themes

Time/era of story    -   1600 to 1899 Difficult/unusual lover?    -   Yes How difficult?    -   very shy/inexperienced If one lover chases another...    -   they alternate Matchbreaker    -   Yes Matchbreaker is    -   Dad

Main Male Character

Profession/status:    -   unemployed Age/status:    -   20's-30's Unusual characteristics?    -   Extremely cynical or arrogant

Main Female Character

Age/status:    -   20's-30's Profession/status:    -   unemployed    -   wealthy Unusual characteristics:    -   Super sensitive soggy jelly muffin    -   Very shy

Setting

United States    -   Yes The US:    -   Northeast City?    -   Yes City:    -   New York Misc setting    -   Fancy Mansion

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   no torture/death What % of story is romance related?    -   80%    -   90% Focus of story    -   Her How much dialog    -   mostly dialog    -   roughly even amounts of descript and dialog

Books with storylines, themes & endings like Washington Square

Henry James Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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