Washington Square

Originally published in 1880, Washington Square was praised for its depiction of the complicated relationship between a father and daughter. Catherine Sloper lives in New York City's fashionable Washington Square district with her aunt and her physician father. As Catherine is courted by Morris Townsend, her father threatens disinheritance, and Townsend abandons her. Only after her father dies, many years later, does Townsend attempt to return to the Washington Square house and to Catherine.

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washington square

I'm studying 'Washington Square' for my AS level english, and I have never read such a teadious, slow and pointless book. The characters have no character, and the very simple story line never amounts to anything. I'm trying to revise for my lit exam at the moment, but trying to re-read such a novel is proving difficult. I wish we had studied 'Return of the Native' Verity

Posted By Verity17 at Fri 4 Jan 2008, 10:25 AM in Washington Square || 1 Reply

Help Me

Can anyone help me with my essay I have to write a essay looking at the language and techniques but am v.confused. My title is 'How are henry james three themes of his novels presented iun Washington square?' Can anyone help me with this or any other ideas Thanks

Posted By cameron.l.k at Thu 22 Jun 2006, 4:32 AM in Washington Square || 0 Replies

CosiCosi

Henry James describes the unneccesary and the book was dull. I enjoyed the plot of te story.

Posted By bonnie at Fri 28 Feb 2003, 1:00 AM in Washington Square || 2 Replies

Washington Square

I find that the comments that this book is boring and tedious is untrue. This book is a masterpiece. Its excellent and entertaining, and in a way, a suspense. It is beautifully written and it still amazes me how the author so subtly changed Catherine into a respectful woman. By the way, i was forced to read this book for literature and i'm 17 yr old.

Posted By Mae at Tue 24 May 2005, 6:07 PM in Washington Square || 0 Replies

literature

Hi!

I red this book Coz related to me major. This is really true feeling At first it was not much fun to read this novel. So I try to read it again this time slow and put my all feeling I feel kind of fun and easy to catch the story. Catherine situation is so complecated, Her devotion to her father is very steadfast in contrast Her devotion to townsend is also true. She don't wanna lose both Dr. slopper and townsend. ANd Henry he didn't mentioned about the townsend rather he's true love with catherine or he's after her money. The end of this story is happy as usuall so it's not a romantic story, You could say it's tragic and sad story . I wanna give you piece of advice to read this story you need put your feeling first and read it slowly with interst. later

Posted By mike at Tue 24 May 2005, 6:07 PM in Washington Square || 0 Replies

Washington Square- Henry James

This is not a book to be forcefully read. One must choose to read it, because it takes a lot of motivation to actually go through with reading the entire book. It can be credited as a classic, but a boring classic.

Posted By sara at Tue 24 May 2005, 6:07 PM in Washington Square || 0 Replies

Truth About Washington Square

This novel is a intellectualized version of an ill fated love story which may seem dull and actionless to many due to the absence of love triangles, lusty love sences, violence, drugs, or some kind of ultimately pointless drama that we crave today, but to others this is a true masterpiece which explores the psychological aspects of every single character and shamelessly unveils their disfunctions, rarely done in modern literature and films.
Dr. Sloper is the father of a young woman catherine he is a medical doctor and his views are very technical he knows someone just by their exterior as a doctor in that time he had to diagnose illnesses by examining the anatomy so therefore when Moriss townsend enters the picture to sweep catherine off her feet with his charmingly handsom good looks he rejects moriss because he looks very handsom on the outside but moriss has no career no money and catherine is a daughter of a very wealthy Doctor and deceased mother. He immediately accuses moriss of being mercenary. Since catherine is afraid of her father and she is very timid and shy of the real world she can not break free into her own identity and is supressed by her father, and recoils her love and passion for moriss for 30 years. All meanwhile Mrs aunt penniman is Dr slopers meddling sister who is one of those couchpotato old hags that sit around all day and watch soap operas accept here her soap opera is catherines affairs with moriss and she enjoys taking the position of "messenger" between them without ever being instructed or hinted towards.

Posted By Azniv Angel at Tue 24 May 2005, 6:07 PM in Washington Square || 0 Replies

No Subject

It's about time we knocked Henry James off his undeserved pedestal. He would never have been published had he not cultivated a network of influential aroound him, through his 'literary circle' and by his 'prestigious' club memberships, etc.
He certainly would never be published today!
His prose style is terrible, there is no passion or poetry in any of it.
And as a critic he was extremely cruel to far more talented writers - Thomas Hardy being one who suffered from his harsh criticism.

Posted By Unregistered at Tue 24 May 2005, 6:07 PM in Washington Square || 0 Replies

No Subject

Washington Square is actually a rather easy novel if you're familiar with any of James's other novels such as The Bostonians or The Princess Casamassima. Try reading one of those if you thought Washington Square was tough. What needs to be realized about James and his work is how psychological it is. Sure, there aren't any sexy love triangles or explosions or car chases, but to peer into the minds of the characters and witness exactly how they think is something James definitely has a gift for. Now, if I didn't take this James & Wharton class....

Posted By boyson at Tue 24 May 2005, 6:07 PM in Washington Square || 0 Replies

Washington Square

I chose to read this book for an assignment in my 12th grade Humanities class. Having already read "Turn of the Screw" for my English class I wasn't sure if I really cared for James' style. So I decided to take the book on as a challenge. But it turned out to be anything but. I love the book! It's up there with one of my favorites. I find the subtle humor quite amusing and I didn't find it hard to get into at all. I strongly recommend this book. It's a page turner!

Posted By Kristen at Tue 24 May 2005, 6:07 PM in Washington Square || 0 Replies

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