# XXI explained — Washington Square

> Chapter companion for Washington Square by Henry James.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/washington_square_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/washington_square_se/chapters