Washington Square

Author: James
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-12-17
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In 19th-century New York, success was marked by owning your own home in Washington Square. Dr. Austin Sloper was a successful man. He lived stylishly, was witty and clever, and very charming. Yet none of these qualities were seen in his daughter, Catherine. She was a kind and innocent girl who adored and revered her father, doing everything in her power to please him, much to his disappointment. Dr. Sloper never expected anything interesting or exciting to happen in Catherine's life. But life in Washington Square soon became far from calm. A romance unfolded—a handsome young man came to pursue Catherine. Catherine's aunt, the simple-minded Mrs. Penniman, was genuinely delighted by this; she found Morris Townsend utterly charming. Catherine, of course, felt the same way. However, Dr. Sloper had entirely different views on the young Mr. Townsend. The doctor was very wealthy and knew that upon his death, Catherine would inherit an estate worth $30,000 per year. He wondered why such a handsome and dashing young man would pursue his uninteresting daughter.