Washington Square · Chapter
Chapter XXXIII explained
Dr.
What happens
Dr. Sloper, now retired and aged sixty-eight, asks Catherine to promise not to marry Morris Townsend after his death. Catherine refuses, asserting her independence. A year later, Dr. Sloper dies from pneumonia after being caught in a spring shower. His will reduces Catherine's inheritance to a fifth, leaving the bulk to hospitals and schools, which Catherine accepts without dispute.
Themes in this chapter
Parental Control and Rebellion
Dr. Sloper attempts to control Catherine's future even after his death by demanding a promise not to marry Morris Townsend, but Catherine refuses, asserting her independence.
Wealth and Class
Dr. Sloper's will reduces Catherine's inheritance to protect her fortune from 'unscrupulous adventurers,' highlighting the role of wealth in social and familial dynamics.
Characters to notice
- Dr. Austin Sloper
Now retired and aged sixty-eight, he asks Catherine to promise not to marry Morris Townsend after his death, and later dies from congestion of the lungs.
- Catherine Sloper
Refuses her father's request to promise not to marry Morris Townsend, asserting her dignity; she nurses him during his final illness and accepts the reduced inheritance without dispute.
- Lavinia Penniman
Accompanies Dr. Sloper and Catherine to Europe, and is assiduous at Dr. Sloper's bedside during his final illness; she later urges Catherine to dispute the will.
- Morris Townsend
Mentioned as having grown fat and bald, still seeking a wife, and seen in New York at Marian Almond's house.
- Mrs. Almond
Mentioned as a legatee in Dr. Sloper's will, receiving an annuity.
Key passages
“Little by little Dr. Sloper had retired from his profession; he visited only those patients in whose symptoms he recognised a certain originality.”
Dr. Sloper gradually stopped practicing medicine, seeing only patients with unusual symptoms.
Describes Dr. Sloper's selective retirement from medicine.
“Promise me not to marry Morris Townsend after I am gone.”
Promise me you won't marry Morris Townsend after I die.
Dr. Sloper's final attempt to control Catherine's future.
“I can't promise that.”
I cannot make that promise.
Catherine's refusal to obey her father's request.
“He has grown fat and bald, and he has not made his fortune.”
He has become overweight and lost his hair, and he hasn't become wealthy.
Dr. Sloper's description of Morris Townsend's current state.
“She is amply provided for from her mother's side... so that her fortune is already more than sufficient to attract those unscrupulous adventurers whom she has given me reason to believe that she persists in regarding as an interesting class.”
She already has enough money from her mother's inheritance to attract fortune hunters, whom she stubbornly sees as fascinating.
Dr. Sloper's justification for reducing Catherine's inheritance in his will.