Washington Square · Chapter
Chapter XVII explained
Mrs.
What happens
Mrs. Penniman reveals to Catherine that she has secretly met with Morris Townsend, prompting Catherine's first feelings of anger and suspicion toward her aunt's meddling. Catherine asserts her duty to obey her father, while Mrs. Penniman pressures her to stand firm for love. The chapter ends with a tense confrontation, as Catherine forbids further secret meetings and Mrs. Penniman withdraws in disappointment.
Themes in this chapter
Parental Control and Rebellion
Catherine struggles between her promise to obey her father and her feelings for Morris; Mrs. Penniman actively encourages rebellion against Dr. Sloper's authority.
Deception and Self-Interest
Mrs. Penniman secretly meets Morris and dissembles about the location; Catherine confronts her about the deceit, while Mrs. Penniman defends her actions as being on Catherine's behalf.
Innocence and Experience
Catherine experiences anger and suspicion for the first time, marking a loss of innocence; Mrs. Penniman's worldly manipulations contrast with Catherine's straightforward moral sense.
Characters to notice
- Catherine Sloper
Feels anger for the first time upon learning of Mrs. Penniman's secret meeting with Morris; asserts her obedience to her father but admits she is afraid of him; shows newfound firmness by forbidding further secret meetings.
- Lavinia Penniman
Secretly meets Morris Townsend and reports the encounter to Catherine; pressures Catherine to resist her father's authority; becomes defensive and accuses Catherine of being ungrateful and cold.
- Morris Townsend
Reported by Mrs. Penniman as looking handsome but haggard; expresses readiness to marry Catherine despite everything; fears only that Catherine will be afraid of her father.
- Dr. Austin Sloper
Referenced as the authority figure Catherine fears and obeys; Mrs. Penniman claims he asked her to use her influence on Catherine.
Key passages
“I don't see why you should have seen him. I don't think it was right.”
Catherine expresses disapproval and confusion about her aunt's secret meeting with Morris.
This marks Catherine's first open expression of anger and moral objection.
“I am afraid of my father.”
Catherine admits her fear of Dr. Sloper's authority.
This confession is central to the conflict between love and filial duty.
“It can't be right to deceive.”
Catherine asserts that deception is inherently wrong.
Catherine's moral clarity contrasts with Mrs. Penniman's pragmatic manipulation.