# XXII explained — Washington Square

> Chapter companion for Washington Square by Henry James.

## What happens

Catherine has consented to marry Morris, but he hesitates, weighing the risks of her potential fortune against the drawbacks of her unattractiveness and poverty. Dr. Sloper remains cold and indifferent, though he eventually proposes taking Catherine to Europe for six months. Catherine struggles with her conscience, feeling she should leave her father's home if she disobeys him, but the Doctor dismisses this idea and insists on the trip.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Self-Interest

Morris Townsend calculates the financial benefits of marrying Catherine while avoiding commitment, revealing his self-interest and deceptive intentions.

### Parental Control and Rebellion

Dr. Sloper exerts control by proposing a European trip to delay the marriage, while Catherine struggles with her conscience over disobeying her father.

### Wealth and Class

Morris's hesitation centers on Catherine's potential fortune versus her poverty, highlighting the role of wealth in marriage decisions.

## Character check-ins

### Catherine Sloper

Consents to marry Morris but is troubled by her conscience; she feels she must leave her father's home if she disobeys him. She informs her father of her continued relationship with Morris and is offered a trip to Europe.

### Morris Townsend

Hesitates to set a wedding date, calculating the risks of Catherine's fortune versus her unattractiveness and poverty. He avoids precipitancy while keeping Catherine's hopes alive.

### Dr. Austin Sloper

Maintains a cold, indifferent demeanor toward Catherine, though he is interested in seeing how she will 'stick.' He proposes taking her to Europe for six months as a delay tactic.

### Lavinia Penniman

Displays elaborate reserve and significant silence, acting as though the household crisis is a dramatic performance.

## Key lines

> He had slightly misrepresented the matter in saying that Catherine had consented to take the great step.

Morris had exaggerated when he claimed Catherine had agreed to marry him immediately.

_Morris's manipulation of the truth about Catherine's consent._

> The ultimate reward of a union with a young woman who was both unattractive and impoverished ought to be connected with immediate disadvantages by some very palpable chain.

Morris believed that marrying an unattractive and poor woman should come with clear, immediate drawbacks.

_Morris's mercenary view of marriage._

> If I live with you, I ought to obey you.

Catherine feels that living under her father's roof requires her to follow his rules.

_Catherine's internal conflict about obedience and independence._

## Links

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