Washington Square

Dr. Austin Sloper's wife dies in childbirth, leaving Catherine to be raised by her father in their Washington Square home. This loss shapes Sloper's grief and his reserved, sometimes resentful attitude toward his daughter. He privately resents Catherine as the survivor who disturbed his memory of his wife.

As a child, Catherine is overweight, clumsy, and not talented in social graces, though she remains sweet and affectionate. She adores her father and strives to please him, but he treats her with ironic condescension. The strained relationship sets up the emotional tension central to the story.

In the 1850s, Catherine's widowed aunt Lavinia Penniman comes to live at Washington Square to supervise her niece's social life. Lavinia embraces melodrama and offers a worldly, meddling perspective. She even secretly helps arrange Townsend's attentions by colluding with him.

Catherine grows into a plain, shy young woman who struggles with social graces despite Lavinia's efforts. Her apparent asset becomes wealth: she receives $10,000 annually from her mother's estate and stands to inherit more when her father dies. The prospect of marriage for money actively shapes family dynamics.

At a party celebrating Marian Almond's engagement, Catherine meets Morris Townsend, a handsome and attentive suitor. He begins making regular calls at Washington Square, and Catherine responds with genuine affection and hope. Sloper watches Townsend with suspicion, fearing mercenary motives.

Townsend asks Catherine to marry him, but Sloper refuses to consent and warns he will disinherit her if she marries without his approval. Catherine wrestles with filial duty and love, and her resolve to marry Townsend grows despite her father's opposition.

Catherine accompanies Sloper on a Grand Tour of Europe. During the trip he urges her to give Townsend up; she refuses, and his contempt becomes explicit. Catherine realizes he despises her and that her loyalties must shift toward Townsend.

Back in New York, Catherine and Townsend reunite and she tries to persuade him that Sloper will never relent. Townsend ultimately withdraws from the engagement, confessing his mercenary motives.

Years pass and Catherine refuses at least one respectable offer of marriage. She remains loyal to Townsend in memory, even as she continues to live under her father's shadow and the prospect of an inheritance shaped by his wishes.

Sloper's health fails and Catherine nurses him through his final illness. During his last days, he asks her to promise never to marry Townsend. She answers with quiet dignity, refusing to make such a vow while maintaining her loyalty.

Misunderstanding Catherine's loyalty, Sloper alters his will with a codicil deploring her ongoing interest in unscrupulous suitors and leaves most of his fortune to charity. Catherine is left with only the house and the income from her mother's estate.

At the reading of the will, Catherine is not offended by the codicil and even laughs at its audacity. The moment confirms her acceptance of the life she has and the choices she has made.

Some time later, Townsend reappears at Catherine's doorstep. She is now running a daycare center in her house and speaks to him briefly with boundaries, making clear she has no interest in renewing their relationship. Her independence is evident in her new life.

Townsend departs, leaving Catherine to reflect on the passion she once felt. She maintains a calm, dignified acceptance of her life and the choices she made.

Catherine remains in the house, running her daycare and living with quiet dignity. The story closes on her thoughtful, self-possessed stance and the dignity with which she faced love and loss.