A Critique of Henry James Washington Square :: Henry James Washington Square

A Critique of Henry pack Washington SquareI will admit it I did not like Washington Square. That said, when I read the first line to Donald Halls afterword, I felt like throwing the phonograph recording away Everyone likes Washington Square (220), HA Well not me, Mr. Hall. I am not exactly sure why I unplowed on reading maybe I was feeling a niggling masochistic that day So, behold my surprise when I began to come crosswise some(prenominal) of the authors words that expressed whiley of the thoughts that I had about the impertinent and its mentions. Luckily, I did not have to read much before some of these ideas came into play. end-to-end the critique, the author addresses not only the work itself, barely excessively how the story came to be. I found it interesting to learn that Henry James had, in reality, only invented the character of Dr. Sloper. The other characters, as well as the novels main plot, had come from a story that James had been told. Considering the absolute realness of the novel, the fact that James had adapted it from reality makes perfect sense.The aspect of this afterword that I found the most intriguing was Halls critique of Mrs. Penniman. Morris Townsend is revealed as her fantasy of an oedipal sports fan (230). That line really struck me for it depended to be the first comment that I had read that was unusual and new. Anyone reading the novel could, rather quickly, deduce the worldwide personalities of the characters. The authors observations about Catherine, Dr. Sloper and Morris do not reveal any new character dynamics. But, his ideas about Mrs. Penniman elaborate beyond the usual annoying and selfish remarks.Throughout the Afterword, Hall remarks about the moral conflict of the novel. The author states that The moral make of this novel lies in the paradox of Dr. Slopers wrong-rightnes (224). He goes on to explain that the proofreader has a love-hate relationship with Dr. Sloper. You know that he is right about Morris fro m the beginning, but it is very difficult to overlook what a horrible and cold man he is. In part, I agree with the authors idea it is difficult to full despise a man who is right. But, Dr. Slopers concerns about Catherine marrying the fortune hunting Morris seem more to be concerns over his money, rather than his daughters well being and happiness.