Washington Square

Dr. Sloper prepares to meet with Mrs. Montgomery to discuss her brother. Mrs. Montgomery confirms the Doctor’s suspicions that Morris Townsend is a lazy individual who lives off anyone who will allow him to such as his sister. The doctor also offers to compensate Mrs. Montgomery since he will be forcing her to continue to bear the burden of her brother. Catherine in the meanwhile is contemplating her situation and hoping that a mutually beneficial solution will be reached by all parties involved. She still hopes for her father’s approval.

Mrs. Penniman communicates with Morris Townsend, she eventually gets him to agree to meet. Mrs. Pennimen tries to convince him to elope with Catherine. She believes that if Morris marries Catherine without consent, it will prove to Dr. Sloper that he isn’t just after the money but loves Catherine. Dr. Sloper will then be forced to accept them. Here we find that Morris is exasperated with Mrs. Penniman and is somewhat tired of her interfering. After returning home Mrs. Penniman then tells Catherine about the whole ordeal and that Morris told her to hold fast. Catherine is angered, probably for the first time in her life, by her Aunt’s deceitful actions.

 The same evening, after much thought, Catherine goes to her father’s study. Catherine makes one last plea with her father, telling him that she would like to see Morris again, to explain to him to wait until Dr. Sloper gives his consent. It is here where Dr. Sloper takes the position saying that he will never consent to the marriage. He plays a cruel card on Catherine, accusing her that if she stays engaged to Morris that she is basically waiting for her father to die. Catherine is horrified by this, because she has deep affection for her father. But Dr. Sloper never yields. It is here that there is a rift torn between father and daughter. Dr. Sloper pities her some, but is so sure in his judgments that nothing will shake them.

After passing a sleepless night, Catherine rises and dresses as usual, much to Mrs. Pennimen’s dismay. Catherine decides to summon Morris to the house. Once he arrives she starts with her original plan of asking him to wait, but Morris wears down her resolve and by the end of the conversation he has convinced her to marry him in a private marriage. Dr. Sloper is not aware of this but he has his suspicions. The doctor remarks to Mrs. Almond the he believes his daughter will stick which surprises him. Catherine is standing up for herself and not following her father’s wishes which is very out of character for her. After yet another private meeting with Mrs. Pennimen, Morris cannot believe that she has once again changed her mind and is now convinced that the best way to go about this is waiting. Mrs. Pennimen believe that this will not be a problem to their relationship because she knows Catherine loves Morris so much that he can postpone the wedding and Catherine will not think less of him.

Movie Comparison

Discussion Questions

1) While talking to Mrs. Almond about meeting Mrs. Montgomery Dr. Sloper assumes that he will be able to tell if she is a humbug. He declares he will not listen to her if she is a humbug. Does this mindset negate his efforts to vet his own judgments by referring to outside sources?

2) Does Dr. Sloper’s conduct in his conversation with Mrs. Montgomery guide her to the conclusion that Dr. Sloper comes looking for? Or does her negative assessment come from her own feelings about her brother?

3) Do you think Dr. Sloper’s opinion that he is the most powerful force in his daughter’s life, as shown in conversation with his sister Mrs. Almond, is valid?

4) Do Mrs. Penniman’s romantic notions and intervening actions help or hinder the couple? Is she on Catherine’s side, Morris’s side, or on her own side?

5) When Catherine writes Morris the letter informing him that her father had expressed the wish that she not see him anymore she also tells him not to come to the house until she had made up her mind. For the first time it seems that Catherine is not conforming to her father’s wishes, but is actually considering rebellion. Is she finally breaking away from the type that her father has categorized her into?

6) When Catherine holds onto the belief that if she would be very good, then her father would miraculously change his mind. Is she being naïve or optimistic?

 

Charles Dickens and the “American Notes”

Charles Dickens’ “American Notes” fell into obscurity due to his unpopular view of America. His venture to New York provided readers with a seemingly critical analysis of Broadway, the “gaudiness” of clothing, immigration, the prison system, and the slums. His negative viewpoint resulted in backlash by American readers.

          Charles Dickens begins with a description of the gaudy people and hot sun of Broadway. He notes the bright colors and extravagant dress of both men and women alike. In contrast to the luxurious dress, Charles Dickens takes notice of the dress of the laboring class through his description of the Irishmen. The Irishmen also serve as a way for Dickens to discuss the mentality of the working immigrants.

          The most critical point of “American Notes” is found in Dickens’ description of The Tombs, an infamous prison in New York. He notes the lack of exercise that prisoners receive, the long term in which they are held under these conditions, and the unwholesome air of the prison, which some children are forced to endure. Dickens also briefly discusses the secrecy under which hangings are held.

          Dickens ends his journey, with the exception of a last visit to The Tombs, by visiting the Five Point Slums, witnessing joy where it doesn’t seem apparent. In the slums, he saw that even without the luxuries of Broadway, people were able to enjoy themselves. He talks highly of the dancing, music, and boisterous environment.

         

          Dickens’ “American Notes” was not well-received by American readers, and resulted in only one publication. This newspaper article (The Quarterly Review, March 1843) exemplifies the American opinion on Dickens’ appraisal. The article dismisses his critical opinion as jealousy rather than regarding it as an unbiased analysis.

          However, Dickens’ background colors his opinion and his sarcastic way of writing may have come off as more insult than observation. Regarding his critical analysis of the prison system, Dickens’ family was a victim of the prison system in England. This resulted in hardship for Dickens as a child, which may have influenced his sympathy for the imprisoned children, leading to a rather opinionated view of the American prison system.

          Dickens’ personal style of writing has a way of finding humor in any situation, this situation being culture shock. As a result, Dickens’ humor came off as comedy at the expense of America. His dramatic portrayal of his experience was ill-received by an equally dramatic reception by the American public. Maybe he didn’t like America, maybe he did; that’s just Dickens.

Discussion Questions:

1. Without first analyzing “American Notes”, how did you feel about Dickens’ opinion while reading? What kind of picture does he paint about New York?

         

2. Dickens references England multiple times in discussing his view of       America. Do you think more background increased your understanding of Dickens’ opinion?

3. Who do you think that Dickens was initially writing for, the English, Americans, or nobody in particular?

4. Is Dickens’ portrayal of the immigrants positive or negative, in your opinion? Do you think there was a message Dickens was trying to get across by discussing the immigration?

5. Do you think that patriotism was a factor in the backlash that Dickens received? Do we still see this kind of reaction to modern media?*

6. Was there anything that Dickens was trying to say by including the commentary on the pigs?

*Included in discussion is the following commercial.