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.