Freedom and Betrayal: Catherine's Evolution in 'Washington Square' Anonymous 12th Grade

Throughout Washington Square, the revelatory effects of love catalyze the heroine’s transformation against the wishes of a treacherously oppressive father. The juxtaposing development of the Doctor’s increasing inadequacy with that of Catherine’s newfound autonomy represents a misconstrued sense of disloyalty. Henry James illustrates this concept of betrayal through the disillusionment of a patriarch’s ultimate authority by the growing independence of his once docile daughter. This conflict materializes as a result of diminishing power.

Austin Sloper rejects any instance that lies beyond his control on the basis that it is mere betrayal. Within uncontrollable situations, liability is projected anywhere but upon his own intelligence or power, a method of deflecting blame and securing authority. Although Sloper “escaped all criticism but his own” upon failure to impede the death of his beloved wife and son, the deaths were still attributed to causes outside of his personal medical ability (James 5). Sloper’s deflection of responsibility, whether purposeful or subconscious, is revealed within the diction regarding the deaths of his most precious family members. His wife “betrayed alarming symptoms” in her death, whereas his son...