www.eReferate.

ro -Cea mai buna inspiratie…

HENRY JAMES
WASHINGTON SQUARE

Henry James was in many respects the inspirer of the modern experimental novel. His
theory of the novel is based on the premises laid down in his famous essay “The Art of
Fiction”, where he asserts that the novel should be concerned with the major values of life:
”The only reason for the existence of the novel is that it does attempt to represent life.” The
author’s interest concentrates not so much upon the external aspects such as the past family
relations, the social background, as it does upon the inner side.
Washington Square , written in 1881, belongs to James’ first period of creation. This
short novel reveals James’ special gift as a subtle observer of human behaviour and
psychology in a money oriented society. The heroine of the novel, Catherine Sloper, falls
victim to a domineering father and an interested suitor. At the age of 20, Catherine’s
advantage is her prospect of inheriting a fortune and this attracts a suitor, Morris Townsend,
who proves to be a fortune-hunter. Dr. Sloper embodies the type of the parent in a dramatic
and fatal relationship with his only child. He is quite singular in his refinement and
sophisticated nature as well as in his controlled impulse by reason and he is endowed with the
faculty of self-analysis.
The excerpt presenting the dialogue between Dr. Sloper and Morris Townsend is one
of the most brilliant examples of James’ gift as a subtle observer of man’s behaviour and
psychology and also his mastery of witty dialogue handled in a straightforward manner by an
omniscient writer. All through the discussion, Dr. Sloper tries to make Morris betray his mean
interest in Catherine’s allowance, while the latter avoids any direct answer by feigning
exaggerated modesty and reserve.
The doctor is informed that Morris Townsend has already spent all his money and now
depends on his sister , never thinking of a serious career. Dr. Sloper is determined to try the
young man’s character by exposing him to a witty examination and begins asking him
whether he has really been looking for a position. They both are clever, cunningly trying to
find the interlocutor’s weak point and, through subtle allusions and half-truths, are trying to
trap each other. With faked modesty, Morris Townsend replies that a “position” would be too
much for him and that he is looking for a “quiet place” where he would be able to turn “an
honest penny” with his “good right arm”. But then he cunningly asks Dr. Sloper if he is of the
opinion he should not despair, implying he is waiting for the doctor to offer him a good
opportunity. Then, with a look at his neat polished shoes, he asks the doctor whether he is
intending to propose something to his advantage. The doctor, in his turn, takes the opportunity
to suggest to Morris to leave New York and take a job elsewhere. To this, Morris Townsend
falsely declares himself the sustainer of his sister and her children, but then he is forced to
admit that his present occupation “won’t make his fortune”. Thus, the double meaning of the
word “fortune” finally betrays his intentions to come by a fortune. By the last two sentences
of the dialogue, the “opponents” come into open, the doctor “advising” Morris not to be too
much bent on a fortune and, giving him a sarcastic assurance that he will not lose sight of
him, while Morris Townsend abandons his hypocritical mask of modesty and respect and,
with an insolent smile and raising his voice, tells the doctor he will take the liberty of
contradicting him if his situation becomes desperate.
James is considered a master in creating remarkable characters, and his skill becomes
obvious when presenting a gradual change within one and the same character. The statement
is valid with Morris Townsend’s changing attitude during his very short conversation starting
with a modest and reserved self-criticism, passing through insolence and a few lies and
ending in betraying himself and his actual aim. He embodies the mercantile type, too greedy
to be honest and too corrupt to feel generosity towards his fellow-beings.
 Henry James uses the omniscient point of view, the story being told in the third person
and filtered through the consciousness of one or another of the characters involved. The two
men’s hidden thoughts are revealed by tricky questions, subtle allusions, half-truths, double
meaning sentences, ironical remarks, faked self-criticism and good humour, false
encouragement, pretended respect or downright lies.
Washington Square has a certain didactic and moral impact and it is obvious that the
author views life only on moral terms and, within the conflict between the good and the evil ,
he seems to side with the virtuous and perfective characters.

www.eReferate.ro -Cea mai buna inspiratie…