Washington Square · Chapter
XXI explained
Dr.
What happens
Dr. Sloper confides in Mrs. Almond that Catherine is determined to stick to her engagement, viewing her resistance as a fascinating psychological experiment. Meanwhile, Mrs. Penniman meets secretly with Morris Townsend and, after initially urging immediate marriage, now advises patience and waiting, though Morris is frustrated by her inconsistency.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Self-Interest
Mrs. Penniman's shifting advice to Morris reveals her self-serving nature, while Dr. Sloper's cold observation of Catherine's emotions shows his manipulative detachment.
Parental Control and Rebellion
Dr. Sloper's plan to take Catherine to Europe to break her engagement exemplifies his authoritarian control, while Catherine's quiet consent to a private marriage is a form of rebellion.
Appearance vs. Reality
Mrs. Penniman's pretense of cordiality and her secret meetings contrast with her public persona, and Dr. Sloper's amusement masks his deep concern over Catherine's defiance.
Characters to notice
- Dr. Austin Sloper
Discusses Catherine's stubbornness with Mrs. Almond, viewing her engagement as a geometric problem and planning to take her to Europe to make Morris forget her.
- Mrs. Almond
Engages in a clever conversation with Dr. Sloper about Catherine's character, comparing her to a copper kettle that retains a dent.
- Catherine Sloper
Described as simple and clinging, having consented to a private marriage with Morris, though her father plans to separate them.
- Morris Townsend
Meets secretly with Mrs. Penniman, expresses frustration at her changing advice, and reveals Catherine has agreed to a private marriage.
- Lavinia Penniman
Arranges a secret meeting with Morris, advises patience after previously urging immediate marriage, and fears being turned out by her brother.
Key passages
“She is like a copper kettle that receives a dent; you may polish up the kettle, but you can't efface the mark.”
Catherine's nature is such that once she is affected by something, the impression is permanent and cannot be removed.
Mrs. Almond uses this metaphor to explain Catherine's steadfastness to Dr. Sloper.
“I was perhaps a little headlong the other day in advising you to marry immediately. I have been thinking it over, and now I see it just a little differently.”
Mrs. Penniman admits that her earlier advice to marry at once was rash, and she now has a revised perspective.
She reveals her inconsistency to Morris during their secret meeting.