# Dr. Austin Sloper — Washington Square character guide > Dr. Austin Sloper in Washington Square by Henry James. **Role:** major **Also known as:** the Doctor, Dr. Sloper, Austin Sloper, Austin, Dear Austin, little Dr. Sloper **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot A brilliant, sardonic physician who cannot forgive his daughter for being ordinary, and whose opposition to her suitor becomes a clinical experiment in human nature. ## Who they are Dr. Sloper is a proud, witty man who has never recovered from losing his charming wife and has quietly written off his daughter as a commonplace disappointment. When Morris Townsend appears, the Doctor treats the courtship as a problem of geometry — measuring, predicting, and refusing to relent — while Mrs. Almond warns him he is being shockingly cold-blooded. His intellectual cruelty and his genuine sense of duty collide, shaping Catherine's fate. ## Relationships ### [Lavinia Penniman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/lavinia_penniman) _family_ Dr. Sloper is Lavinia's brother-in-law, and he treats her with contempt and condescension, blaming her for encouraging Catherine's romance. ### [Catherine Sloper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/catherine_sloper) _family_ Dr. Sloper is Catherine's father, a cold and domineering man who opposes her marriage and emotionally abuses her, yet she longs for his approval. ### [Morris Townsend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/morris_townsend) _rivalry_ Dr. Sloper sees Morris as a gold-digger and antagonist, using his intelligence and authority to try to drive him away from Catherine. ### [Arthur Townsend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/arthur_townsend) _social_ Arthur is a polite young man who interacts with Dr. Sloper as a family acquaintance, but their relationship is superficial. ### [Mrs. Almond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/mrs_almond) _family_ Dr. Sloper respects Mrs. Almond as his sensible sister-in-law, and they share a mutual understanding about Catherine's situation. ### [John Ludlow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/john_ludlow) _social_ Dr. Sloper briefly considers John Ludlow as a potential suitor for Catherine, but the relationship never develops beyond a social acquaintance. ### [Catherine Sloper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/catherine_sloper) _family_ Dr. Sloper is Catherine's father, a cold and domineering man who opposes her marriage and emotionally abuses her, yet she longs for his approval. ### [Morris Townsend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/morris_townsend) _rivalry_ Dr. Sloper sees Morris as a gold-digger and antagonist, using his intelligence and authority to try to drive him away from Catherine. ### [Lavinia Penniman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/lavinia_penniman) _family_ Dr. Sloper is Lavinia's brother-in-law, and he treats her with contempt and condescension, blaming her for encouraging Catherine's romance. ### [Lavinia Penniman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/lavinia_penniman) _family_ Dr. Sloper is Lavinia's brother-in-law, and he treats her with contempt and condescension, blaming her for encouraging Catherine's romance. ### [Morris Townsend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/morris_townsend) _rivalry_ Dr. Sloper sees Morris as a gold-digger and antagonist, using his intelligence and authority to try to drive him away from Catherine. ### [Catherine Sloper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/catherine_sloper) _family_ Dr. Sloper is Catherine's father, a cold and domineering man who opposes her marriage and emotionally abuses her, yet she longs for his approval. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/i) Introduced as a scholarly, witty, and respected physician in New York; married for love to Catherine Harrington; suffers the loss of his son and wife; left with his daughter Catherine. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/ii) A proud and clever man who is disappointed by his daughter's ordinariness. He is philosophical about it, does his duty by her, and holds a low opinion of women's intellect, except for his late wife. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/iii) Catherine's father, a successful physician who moves the family to Washington Square; he disapproves of overdressing and holds old-fashioned views on education. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/iv) Dr. Sloper teases Catherine about her dress and Morris's interest, suspects Morris is after her fortune, and privately notes Mrs. Penniman's matchmaking. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/vi) Dr. Sloper discusses Morris with Mrs. Almond, learning about Morris's lack of profession and his past, and expresses skepticism about his motives. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/vii) Observes Morris Townsend at dinner, judges him as having 'the assurance of the devil' and a vulgar nature, and decides he is not a gentleman. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/viii) The Doctor suspects Morris's visits, notes Catherine's reserve, and questions Mrs. Penniman about the situation, revealing his distrust of Morris. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/ix) Observes Catherine and Morris, feels pity for her discomfort, decides to give Morris a chance, and questions him about employment; later asks Mrs. Almond to arrange a meeting with Morris's sister. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/x) Though not present, Dr. Sloper looms over the conversation as the anticipated obstacle; Morris describes him as a 'heartless scoffer' and predicts his opposition. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xi) The Doctor listens calmly to Catherine's announcement, expresses his strong disapproval of Morris Townsend, and orders Catherine to keep the engagement secret. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xii) Confronts Morris Townsend, disapproves of the engagement, and argues against his suitability as a son-in-law. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xiii) Defends his judgment of Morris Townsend and plans to write to Mrs. Montgomery for confirmation. ### [Chapter XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xiv) Visits Mrs. Montgomery to gather evidence against Morris, using psychological pressure and offering financial support to test her loyalty. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xv) Observes Catherine's passive behavior, considers taking her to Europe, and maintains his opposition to the engagement. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xvi) Referred to as having a hard, intellectual nature; impervious to pity; suspected of doubting Morris's motives regarding Catherine's money; Mrs. Penniman believes he may eventually be reconciled. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xvii) Referenced as the authority figure Catherine fears and obeys; Mrs. Penniman claims he asked her to use her influence on Catherine. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xviii) Dr. Sloper remains firm in his opposition, threatening to disinherit Catherine if she marries without his consent. He attempts to manipulate her emotionally, but is surprised by her quiet resistance and her declaration that she would not marry after his death. ### [Chapter XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xix) Confronts Mrs. Penniman, warning her against treasonable support of Morris Townsend, and asserts his authority as Catherine's father. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xx) Though not present, Dr. Sloper's influence looms large. Catherine delivers his message that she will be disinherited if she marries without his consent. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxi) Discusses Catherine's stubbornness with Mrs. Almond, viewing her engagement as a geometric problem and planning to take her to Europe to make Morris forget her. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxii) Maintains a cold, indifferent demeanor toward Catherine, though he is interested in seeing how she will 'stick.' He proposes taking her to Europe for six months as a delay tactic. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxiii) Takes Catherine on a grand tour of Europe for twelve months, hoping to make her forget Morris. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxiv) Suppresses his anger for six months, then confronts Catherine in a dramatic Alpine scene and later in Liverpool; reveals his passionate and hard nature. ### [Chapter XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxv) Remains implacable and firm in his opposition to Catherine's engagement, unchanged by the European trip. ### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxvi) Referenced as having returned from England in the same state of mind, refusing to yield; Catherine feels he does not love her, comparing her unfavorably to her late mother. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxvii) Returns from his travels and confronts Mrs. Penniman about her support of Morris Townsend, reiterating his inflexible opposition to the engagement. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxviii) Dr. Sloper is referenced as the obstacle to the marriage, having come home more impracticable than ever. His hatred of Morris is described as burning with a lurid flame, and he is expected to crow over Catherine if the engagement ends. ### [Chapter XXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxx) Correctly predicts that Morris has backed out of the engagement and expresses satisfaction at being proven right. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxxi) Dr. Sloper confronts Catherine about her plans and learns she has broken off the engagement. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxxii) Remains suspicious that Morris's disappearance is a 'blind' and that Morris will return after his death. He refuses to show sympathy for Catherine, insisting she is better off. ### [Chapter XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxxiii) Now retired and aged sixty-eight, he asks Catherine to promise not to marry Morris Townsend after his death, and later dies from congestion of the lungs. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/dr_austin_sloper - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters