Washington Square

Catherine Sloper, the heroine of this tragicomic tale set in mid-19th century New York, is absolutely ordinary in every way except for her exceptional capacities in love and loyalty. These latter qualities are of no interest to her father, the successful society Doctor who is constantly disappointed by his daughter's failure to be brilliant, either physically or intellectually. For this reason, he is highly suspicious when Morris Townsend begins to woo her and is convinced the handsome young man's interest is only in the fortune Catherine will eventually inherit.

The young woman's virtues and her ardent heart thus become a battleground fought over by two highly egotistical men. Henry James keeps us guessing all along whether either of them feel any love or real concern for the woman in question and with subtle wit exposes the savagery underlying social veneers.

This is a story with great psychological insight and might arguably be considered an exposé of narcissistic personality disorder in action.

Public Domain (P)2020 Magda Allani