Washington square describes the adult life of catherine sloper, daughter of a wealthy, intense, intelligent and sarcastic father and a brilliantly beautiful mother. Washington square autographed books abebooks new york, ny. Exploring the themes of failure in washington square by henry. 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. Washington square summary and analysis like sparknotes free. The novels main character, catherine sloper, lives with her widowed aunt and her physician father in new york citys.
The characters have no character, and the very simple story line never amounts to anything. Get all the key plot points of henry jamess washington square on one page. Now, it is exactly doctor slopers contention in the book that his daughter is a placid. Washington square takes place in new york city in the 1840s, a city that was well on its way to becoming the presentday metropolis. Its an excellent starting point for a further exploration of henry jamess fiction. Torn in different directions by her cruel, uptight father and her silly, romantic aunt, catherine attempts to follow her heart and become her own woman. Novelist arthur phillips describes washington square by henry james as a very modern novel indeed. Henry james, whose mastery of the psychological novel markedly influenced twentiethcentury literature, was born in new york city. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Im trying to revise for my lit exam at the moment, but trying to reread such a novel is proving difficult.
Were considering expanding this synopsis into a fulllength study guide to deepen your comprehension of the book and why its important. Published in 1880, it tells the story of catherine sloper, the daughter of wealthy doctor austin sloper. Originally published in 1880 as a serial in cornhill magazine and harpers new monthly magazine, it is a structurally simple tragicomedy that recounts the conflict between a dull but sweet daughter and her brilliant, unemotional father. Washington square chapters 2126 summary and analysis. Sloper and catherine is a central theme to this novel. Washington square is the story of a young women, catherine sloper, who falls in love with a beautiful young man who may or may not be a fortunehunter. Set in the exacting social landscape of new york city at the turn of the century, washington square is the tale of a wealthy but shy young woman caught between conflicting family expectations. George washingtons farewell address translated into modern english by. Outstanding science trade book and national outdoor book award winner. Henry james stories are classic gems of subtle wit and irony. Washington square summary from litcharts the creators of. She ultimately chooses spinsterhood, and not to defy her father, and to be the good daughter. He had been living ever since his marriage in an edifice of red brick, with granite copings and an enormous fanlight over the door, standing in a street within five minutes walk of the city hall, which saw its best days from the social point of view about 1820.
Ive been accumulating volumes for more than half my life mostly autographed and inscribed copies wrote a book on book collecting for a random house imprint in 2004, and have a new one, book collecting now. Washington square henry james james, henry 18431916 american novelist and shortstory writer who is known as an artistic literary craftsman. Catherine sloper, heiress to a fortune, attracts the attention of a goodlooking but penniless young man, morris townsend, but her father is convinced that his motives are merely mercenary. Henry james 18431916 first appearing as a serial in cornhill magazine in 1880, washington square focuses on the strained relationship between father and daughter, which is instigated as a result of opposing personalities, viewpoints, and lack of affection. If there is a sparknotes, shmoop, or cliff notes guide, we will have it.
I wish it had been the first one i read, but when i was a student my professors thought it was more appropriate to make us read the incredibly difficult ones like the awkward age and. Within this chapter he goes over the role that catherine plays in the story. Washington square begins with shy, unattractive catherine sloper, an heiress who is moving past the first bloom of her youthliving under the roof of her handsome, domineering father, doctor sloper. George washingtons farewell address modern version. Morris townsend best represents temptation in washington square. James called the short novel poorish and, in a letter to his. On washington square by elizabeth hardwick the new york. Apr 10, 2016 this video is about washington square. An entire book could not list all the ways that being a good politician is tied to being moral and religious. Jul 06, 2014 we take a break from nonfiction, tenements, and vice this month to venture out of the slums and into the world of old new york gentility.
Tale of a trapped daughter and domineering father, a quiet tragedy of money and love and innocence betrayed. Im studying washington square for my as level english, and i have never read such a teadious, slow and pointless book. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. Washington square is a short novel more a novella by henry james written in 1880, and is really an excellent shakespeares king lear and titus andronicus certainly come to mind, or hardys michael henchard, and laius of thebes may be the worst of the lot. Find all available study guides and summaries for washington square by henry james. This novels plot is fairly simple and easy to follow. Washington square study guide contains a biography of henry james, literature essays, a complete etext, quiz questions, major themes. Henry jamess washington square wasnt a particular favorite of its author. This summary of washington square includes a complete plot overview spoilers included. A summary of chapters 3639 in sinclair lewiss main street. Dec 03, 2012 welcome one and all to our discussion of washington square. Washington square chapters 15 summary and analysis gradesaver. Originally published in 1880 as a serial in cornhill magazine and harpers new monthly magazine, it is a. Learn the major plot points and story structure of washington square by henry james.
Washington square 1881 the story of catherine sloper, a. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of washington square by henry james. She is raised by her father and his sister, a meddling and overly romantic widow. Washington square, published in 1881, is an unusual novel for henry james in that he located its setting in the united states. Austin sloper is a failure from the very beginning because he failed to produce a daughter he could be proud of. Washington square hotel this neighborhood is a great choice for travelers interested in food, restaurants and culture check location 103 waverly place, greenwich village, new york, ny 10011, united states of america this neighborhood is a great choice for travelers interested in food, restaurants and culture check location excellent location show map subway access. Page 15 the ideal of quiet and of genteel retirement, in 1835, was found in washington square, where the doctor built himself a handsome, modern, widefronted house, with a big balcony before the drawingroom windows, and a flight of white marble steps ascending to a portal which was also faced with white marble. Washington square study guide from litcharts the creators of. Chapter 3,4,5 summary chapters three, four and five we are told that catherine has a taste for fine clothes and her father dreads the thought of her being overdressed and showing off their opulence. 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. Chapter 6,7,8 morris returns five days later and they are not able to call dr sloper to meet him as he is out at the time. Watch pup grow from his birth to first dive and from rambunctious play with other sea otter pups to a frightening encounter with a predator. Apr 27, 2011 washington square is a short, straightforward and i think very funny book.
A readers guide, he speaks in a chapter about washington square. His great themes were the relationship between innocence and experience and the attainment of selfknowledge. Washington square study guide contains a biography of henry james, literature essays, a complete etext, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. In any case, henry james was born in new york city in 1843, in a house on 21 washington place, a street adjacent to washington square, itself a small park announcing the end of lower fifth avenue and adorned by an ambitious bit of architecture which james would describe as the lamentable little arch of triumph which bestrides these. In this novel, catherine sloper is a simple, unattractive girl. Washington square by henry james goodreads share book. The value of print in a digital age, published in may 2019 by chatwin books. Discussing washington square, by henry james the new york. Sloper had moved his household gods up town, as they say in new york. In october, carol and hugh take a train to washington, d.
This study guide consists of approximately 23 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of washington square. By that time, james rarely made trips back to the land of his birth. Washington square by henry james full text free book part 14. On mrs pennimans insistence, catherine sees him alone. Catherine sloper chooses to love her father and her lover who both misjudge her loyalty of love, out of their own vanity.