# Lavinia Penniman — Washington Square character guide > Lavinia Penniman in Washington Square by Henry James. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mrs. Penniman, Penniman, Aunt Penniman, Lavinia, Aunt Lavinia, dear Lavinia, the impulsive Lavinia **First appearance:** 0001-ii ## Snapshot Catherine's widowed aunt, a romantic schemer who lives for intrigue and mistakes her own imagination for Providence. ## Who they are Mrs. Penniman settled into her brother's house after a brief, flowery marriage and never left, appointing herself her niece's companion and confidante. She encourages Morris Townsend's suit with theatrical zeal, arranges secret meetings, and imagines herself the architect of a great romance, all while shrinking from Dr. Sloper's cold eye. Her meddling and self-dramatizing 'genius for consolation' repeatedly deepen Catherine's predicament. ## Relationships ### [Catherine Sloper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/catherine_sloper) _family_ Lavinia is Catherine's aunt and live-in companion, but she manipulates Catherine into pursuing Morris for her own romantic fantasies. ### [Morris Townsend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/morris_townsend) _psychological_ Lavinia is infatuated with Morris as a romantic figure and acts as his ally and go-between, enabling his courtship of Catherine. ### [Dr. Austin Sloper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/dr_austin_sloper) _family_ Dr. Sloper is Lavinia's brother-in-law, and he treats her with contempt and condescension, blaming her for encouraging Catherine's romance. ### [Mrs. Almond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/mrs_almond) _family_ Lavinia and Mrs. Almond are sisters-in-law, with Mrs. Almond often serving as a voice of reason against Lavinia's romantic meddling. ### [Arthur Townsend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/arthur_townsend) _social_ Arthur is a relative of Morris and a social acquaintance of Lavinia, who uses him as a source of information about Morris. ### [Marian Almond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/marian_almond) _family_ Lavinia is Marian's aunt, and their interactions are limited to family occasions, with Lavinia often gossiping about romance. ### [Morris Townsend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/morris_townsend) _psychological_ Lavinia is infatuated with Morris as a romantic figure and acts as his ally and go-between, enabling his courtship of Catherine. ### [Catherine Sloper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/catherine_sloper) _family_ Lavinia is Catherine's aunt and live-in companion, but she manipulates Catherine into pursuing Morris for her own romantic fantasies. ### [Dr. Austin Sloper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/dr_austin_sloper) _family_ Dr. Sloper is Lavinia's brother-in-law, and he treats her with contempt and condescension, blaming her for encouraging Catherine's romance. ### [Dr. Austin Sloper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/dr_austin_sloper) _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_ Lavinia is Catherine's aunt and live-in companion, but she manipulates Catherine into pursuing Morris for her own romantic fantasies. ### [Morris Townsend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/morris_townsend) _psychological_ Lavinia is infatuated with Morris as a romantic figure and acts as his ally and go-between, enabling his courtship of Catherine. ## In the story ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/ii) Catherine's aunt, a tall, thin, faded woman with a romantic and sentimental nature. She has taken charge of Catherine's education, though Dr. Sloper is unimpressed by her abilities. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/iii) Catherine's aunt, known for her strange manners and mourning attire; she is an object of admiration and fear among the Almond children. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/iv) Mrs. Penniman is charmed by Morris Townsend, defends his refinement to Dr. Sloper, and is seen as likely to promote a romance. ### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/v) Mrs. Penniman orchestrates the visit, encourages Morris's attention, and later reveals to Catherine that Morris is coming to court her. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/vi) Mrs. Penniman encourages Catherine to see Morris alone, finding him 'imperious' and imagining him as the sort of husband she might have had. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/vii) Arranges the dinner for Morris, encourages his courtship of Catherine, and tells him he says 'the right thing' when he dismisses Dr. Sloper's disapproval. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/viii) Mrs. Penniman has become secretive and defensive, acting as Morris's confidante and romanticizing the courtship, which annoys the Doctor. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/ix) Silent during the carriage ride home; is lost in wonderment at Catherine's preference for a parlour interview over a sentimental tryst. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/x) Mrs. Penniman is mentioned as having encouraged the romance, delighting in the drama and imagining herself as confidante and chorus. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xiii) Mentioned as having made a speech against Dr. Sloper's arbitrariness, but is ultimately afraid of him. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xv) Secretly meets Morris at an oyster saloon, relishes the romantic drama, and advises Catherine to act. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xvi) Arranges a secret meeting with Morris to discuss Catherine and Dr. Sloper's opposition; suggests a private marriage or elopement; reveals Dr. Sloper's suspicion about Morris's motives. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xvii) Secretly meets Morris Townsend and reports the encounter to Catherine; pressures Catherine to resist her father's authority; becomes defensive and accuses Catherine of being ungrateful and cold. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xviii) Mrs. Penniman is mentioned briefly as Catherine judges her aunt's advice as aggressive and foolish, feeling old and grave in contrast. ### [Chapter XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xix) Receives a stern warning from Dr. Sloper, retorts sharply, then comforts Catherine after her sleepless night, feeling the interdict on her communion with Morris is removed. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xx) Mrs. Penniman is mentioned as having recommended an immediate union regardless of consequences, which Catherine notes with a hint of shrewdness. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxi) Arranges a secret meeting with Morris, advises patience after previously urging immediate marriage, and fears being turned out by her brother. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxii) Displays elaborate reserve and significant silence, acting as though the household crisis is a dramatic performance. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxiii) Supports Catherine's trip; enjoys her uncontested dominion in the empty house and hosts Morris frequently; dismisses Mrs. Almond's warnings. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxiv) Acts as an intermediary for Morris's letters to Catherine; her packets are handed to Catherine by Dr. Sloper. ### [Chapter XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxv) Shares details of Morris's visits and business news, but her contradictory advice frustrates Catherine. ### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxvi) Mentioned as having given Catherine a message from Morris and as having commented on Catherine's appearance. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxvii) Frightened by her brother's warnings, she writes to Morris Townsend; her romantic and maternal interest in Morris is highlighted. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxviii) Mrs. Penniman secretly meets Morris, offering sympathy and agreeing to help him break off the engagement. She is torn between her affection for Morris and her role as Catherine's protector, ultimately prioritizing Morris's future. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxix) Hesitates to help Morris break the engagement, feeling the weight of her responsibility. ### [Chapter XXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxx) Attempts to mediate and explain Morris's behavior, but is rebuffed by Catherine; she secretly wishes to correspond with Morris and embellishes the story of the breakup. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxxi) Mrs. Penniman discusses Catherine's situation with Mrs. Almond and advises Catherine to tell her father that everything is going on. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxxii) Grows younger in appearance and remains officious, but maintains a consistent silence about Morris Townsend for over seventeen years, which alarms Catherine. ### [Chapter XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxxiii) Accompanies Dr. Sloper and Catherine to Europe, and is assiduous at Dr. Sloper's bedside during his final illness; she later urges Catherine to dispute the will. ### [Chapter XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxxiv) Mrs. Penniman, feeling freer after her brother's death, eagerly shares her encounter with Morris Townsend with Catherine, showing a lingering romantic interest in the affair and a desire to rekindle contact. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxxv) Mrs. Penniman acts as an intermediary, delivering Morris's message and arranging his visit, but is left staring after Morris's angry departure. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/lavinia_penniman - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters