Washington Square · Chapter
XXIII explained
Catherine and Morris discuss her father's plan to take her to Europe for six months.
What happens
Catherine and Morris discuss her father's plan to take her to Europe for six months. Morris encourages her to go, arguing it will show their reasonableness and might soften her father. Catherine agrees, making a mental reservation of her love for Morris. Mrs. Penniman supports the trip, seeing herself as a vestal tending the sacred flame. During the Doctor's year-long absence, Mrs. Penniman hosts Morris frequently at Washington Square, while Mrs. Almond warns her sister against encouraging the engagement. Catherine, feeling a spark of anger after her father's contempt, writes to Morris for a walk and reaffirms her commitment.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Self-Interest
Morris encourages Catherine to deceive her father by going abroad while remaining secretly engaged; Mrs. Penniman advises telling him afterward.
Parental Control and Rebellion
Dr. Sloper tries to control Catherine by taking her to Europe, but she resists inwardly and maintains her engagement.
Wealth and Class
Morris's interest in Catherine is tied to her inheritance; Mrs. Almond warns that without the money, Morris will become cruel.
Characters to notice
- Catherine Sloper
Agrees to go to Europe with her father while remaining firm in her love for Morris; feels a spark of anger after her father's contemptuous speech.
- Morris Townsend
Encourages Catherine to go to Europe, arguing it will mollify her father; becomes a frequent visitor at Mrs. Penniman's during the Doctor's absence.
- Dr. Austin Sloper
Takes Catherine on a grand tour of Europe for twelve months, hoping to make her forget Morris.
- Lavinia Penniman
Supports Catherine's trip; enjoys her uncontested dominion in the empty house and hosts Morris frequently; dismisses Mrs. Almond's warnings.
- Mrs. Almond
Disapproves of Mrs. Penniman's relations with Morris and warns that if Catherine loses her inheritance, Morris will become cruel.
Key passages
“Don't you think it would be a kind of deception?”
Catherine worries that going abroad while remaining engaged is dishonest.
Catherine's moral qualms about deceiving her father.
“It will serve him right! I really think you had better go.”
Morris argues that deceiving her father is justified and advises her to go.
Morris's self-interested manipulation of Catherine.
“I shall see him often; I shall feel like one of the vestals of old, tending the sacred flame.”
Mrs. Penniman compares herself to a priestess guarding Morris's love for Catherine.
Mrs. Penniman's romantic self-dramatization.