Washington square

Henry James’s novel, Washington Square, was the inspiration for both movies: The Heiress by William Wyler, and Washington Square by Agnieszka Holland. Although these films did not follow James’s novel precisely, they still capture the audience and show self-development for main character Catherine. Laurence Raw and Karen Michele Chandler each wrote articles regarding the film adaptations in comparison to Washington Square. In Raw’s article “Reconstructing Henry James: The Heiress”, he analyzes scenes

Washington Square In Putt's book Henry James: A Readers Guide, he speaks in a chapter about Washington Square. Within this chapter he goes over the role that Catherine plays in the story. She ultimately chooses spinsterhood, and not to defy her father, and to be the good daughter. The theme of avoidance o f marriage, spinsterhood, is something that is focused on by James in much of his work (Putt 46). Putt dwells on the fact that the father was a cruel man, and gives extraneously long quotes

In the book Washington Square by Henry James it says, “A dull, plain girl she was called by rigorous critics- a quiet, ladylike girl, by those of the more imaginative sort; but by neither class was she very elaborately discussed. When it had been duly impressed upon her that she was a young lady - it was a good while before she could believe it – she suddenly developed a lively taste for dress: a lively taste is quite the expression to use” (James 16). This quote mentions that Catherine was a girl

Washington Square as an Allegory of the Cruel Consequences of the Excesses of Rationalism It is common to find literary critics and scholars underlining Henry James’ dislike of allegory. The following section of James’ book, Hawthorne, is often quoted as evidence of this: I frankly confess that I have as a general thing but little enjoyment of it [allegory] and that it has never seemed to me to be, as it were, a first-rate literary form…it is apt to spoil two good things--a story and a moral; a

the novel, if not the most dominant theme in the novel. However, it is not the only major theme. Some characters get betrayed whilst others perform betrayal. This will be discussed in this essay with close reference to Washington Square as a whole. Many characters in Washington Square feel betrayed and often do not realize that they too, betray various other characters in the novel. Dr. Sloper feels as though Catherine betrays him due to her unwillingness to follow his instructions, or rather demands

novel, if not the most dominant theme in the novel. However, it is not the only major theme. Some characters get betrayed whilst others betray characters. This will be discussed in this essay with close reference to Washington Square as a whole. Many characters in Washington Square feel betrayed and often do not realize that they too, betray various other characters in the novel. Dr. Sloper feels as though Catherine betrays him due to her unwillingness to follow his instructions, or rather demands

'Betrayal', a word that is so unpleasant yet it still exists in this world. Betrayal is the most important theme of the novel Washington Square where four major characters find themselves betrayed by the others. This will be discussed with close reference to Washington Square. Catherine, known as the heroine of the novel, has betrayed her father Dr. Sloper because she is unwilling to listen to Dr. Sloper’s advise with regards to her engagement to Morris. Dr Sloper uses extremely horrible language

where anything and everything can happen. The city draws out strong emotions in the people who visit it- either they absolutely love it or they loathe it completely. As a result, New York is often a setting in many a novel- Charlotte Temple and Washington Square are no exception to this. That is, both novels explore different emotional aspects of New York in contrasting ways. On the one hand, in Susanna Rowson’s Charlotte Temple, New York is a place of love for Charlotte, and of deceit for Montraville

In Washington Square by Henry James many characters place value in wealth and status but not morals. The only character who is morally sound is the protagonist Catherine Sloper. Coming from much wealth on both her mother’s and father’s side, Catherine becomes no more than a commodity to most of those around her (Long). Her suitor Morris Townsend confessed to her Aunt, Mrs. Penniman, “I do like the money!” (James pg 105) Despite Catherine’s decency and morality her family and potential partner chose

Washington Square was published by Henry James in 1880, and was written during the period of realism. Stories produced during this time were called realist texts, as they attempted to mirror real life. Instead of becoming occupied with fantasy and imagination, they described the ordinary and every day, where the central plot featured ordinary people going about their ordinary lives. Realist texts also focus heavily on character psychology and development, where the central figure behaves in a realistic