Henk's Reviews > Washington Square
Washington Square
by
by
A finely drawn psychological portrait of the upheaval caused by a suitor entering the life of a honest and just woman. The conclusion is a bit weaker than I expected, but the quality of writing and the fine insight in human nature are clear
I don’t belief in lovely husbands, only in good ones
Trying to satisfy both an unbending father and an ambitious suitor forms the start of something akin to a college on Game Theory: The Marriage Edition in this novel by Henry James.
We are introduced to Dr Sloper and his not very assertive daughter Catherine Sloper.
After his wife died, Dr Sloper has brought her up, together with an aunt who is quite a character, and he is clear on his expectations of her:
My dear Austin, do you think it is better to be clever than good?
Good for what? You are good for nothing if you’re not clever.
The number of times Catherine is described as plain, dull, gentile, or She was not clever and even nothing to be proud of, nor anything to be ashamed of lead to quite some paranoia versus her first suitor, Morris Townsend.
He had been living in queer corners and seems rather opportunistic, as even acknowledged by those close around him.
Catherine falls for him and even though her father admonish her to hold out for someone who is more accomplished (striking the following tone: You are sumptuous, opulent, expensive)a real conundrum ensures, since Catherine is At the age of 22 she was after all a rather mature blossom.
We have some suitors getting to know each other, where Morris scores some point but also arouses even more suspicions (As an anatomist it is really a pleasure to me to see such a beautiful structure - interesting appraisal of a son in law).
Overall Catherine her father seems both rather cruel and quite reasonable, I wouldn’t be so chill in this courting of my only child by apparently a good for nothing opportunist. However James in Washington Square keeps the reader subtly metronoming between positions and sympathies.
Even a 12 month tour to Europe doesn't change the situation of stubborn people being entrenched in their various positions. Aunt Lavinia is crazy, the nerve of Morris Townsend indicates a fine salesman, and in the end no-one gets the realisation of their will, leading to a quite grim resolution. Reconciliation, and taking a step towards each other seems impossible, and despite all the material comforts the characters in James his world feel sad and cold, if very much recognisable even now.
Quotes
In any other capacity I am perfectly prepared to like you; as a son-in-law I abominate you
Do you know you sometimes disappoint me
That idea is in very bad taste
Gracious heaven, what a dull woman, exclaimed Morris to himself
A perfect castle of indolence
Upon my word, you are a queer family
She would touch me if she didn’t irritate me
A woman never should keep a man dangling
What is your business, your business is to be with me
When you are quiet you are perfect
She enjoys it like someone enjoys the amputation of a crushed leg
I’m not angry, anger doesn’t last this way for years
I don’t belief in lovely husbands, only in good ones
Trying to satisfy both an unbending father and an ambitious suitor forms the start of something akin to a college on Game Theory: The Marriage Edition in this novel by Henry James.
We are introduced to Dr Sloper and his not very assertive daughter Catherine Sloper.
After his wife died, Dr Sloper has brought her up, together with an aunt who is quite a character, and he is clear on his expectations of her:
My dear Austin, do you think it is better to be clever than good?
Good for what? You are good for nothing if you’re not clever.
The number of times Catherine is described as plain, dull, gentile, or She was not clever and even nothing to be proud of, nor anything to be ashamed of lead to quite some paranoia versus her first suitor, Morris Townsend.
He had been living in queer corners and seems rather opportunistic, as even acknowledged by those close around him.
Catherine falls for him and even though her father admonish her to hold out for someone who is more accomplished (striking the following tone: You are sumptuous, opulent, expensive)a real conundrum ensures, since Catherine is At the age of 22 she was after all a rather mature blossom.
We have some suitors getting to know each other, where Morris scores some point but also arouses even more suspicions (As an anatomist it is really a pleasure to me to see such a beautiful structure - interesting appraisal of a son in law).
Overall Catherine her father seems both rather cruel and quite reasonable, I wouldn’t be so chill in this courting of my only child by apparently a good for nothing opportunist. However James in Washington Square keeps the reader subtly metronoming between positions and sympathies.
Even a 12 month tour to Europe doesn't change the situation of stubborn people being entrenched in their various positions. Aunt Lavinia is crazy, the nerve of Morris Townsend indicates a fine salesman, and in the end no-one gets the realisation of their will, leading to a quite grim resolution. Reconciliation, and taking a step towards each other seems impossible, and despite all the material comforts the characters in James his world feel sad and cold, if very much recognisable even now.
Quotes
In any other capacity I am perfectly prepared to like you; as a son-in-law I abominate you
Do you know you sometimes disappoint me
That idea is in very bad taste
Gracious heaven, what a dull woman, exclaimed Morris to himself
A perfect castle of indolence
Upon my word, you are a queer family
She would touch me if she didn’t irritate me
A woman never should keep a man dangling
What is your business, your business is to be with me
When you are quiet you are perfect
She enjoys it like someone enjoys the amputation of a crushed leg
I’m not angry, anger doesn’t last this way for years
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Reading Progress
February 26, 2023
–
Started Reading
February 27, 2023
– Shelved
February 27, 2023
–
Finished Reading