# Morris Townsend — Washington Square character guide > Morris Townsend in Washington Square by Henry James. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Townsend, Morris, Townsend, Morris Townsend, Mr. Morris Townsend, young Townsend **First appearance:** 0003-iv ## Snapshot A handsome, eloquent idler whose courtship of Catherine Sloper is as graceful as it is suspect, and whose motives no one — including himself — can fully name. ## Who they are Morris Townsend arrives in Washington Square with charm, good looks, and no money, and quickly becomes the center of Catherine's emotional life. He professes love while Dr. Sloper coldly measures him as a fortune-hunter, and the ambiguity of his intentions — sincere or mercenary — is the engine of the novel's central conflict. His polished letters and evasions leave Catherine suspended between hope and humiliation. ## Relationships ### [Catherine Sloper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/catherine_sloper) _romantic_ Catherine is deeply in love with Morris, but he is a fortune hunter who ultimately abandons her, creating a relationship of betrayed affection. ### [Lavinia Penniman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/lavinia_penniman) _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) _rivalry_ Dr. Sloper sees Morris as a gold-digger and antagonist, using his intelligence and authority to try to drive him away from Catherine. ### [Marian Almond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/marian_almond) _social_ Marian is a young socialite who is engaged to Arthur Townsend, Morris's cousin, and interacts with Morris in the context of family gatherings. ### [Mrs. Almond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/mrs_almond) _social_ Morris is polite to Mrs. Almond, but she is wary of him and sees through his charm, unlike Lavinia. ### [Arthur Townsend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/arthur_townsend) _family_ Arthur is Morris's cousin, and their relationship is cordial but distant, with Arthur being more conventional and less calculating. ### [Lavinia Penniman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/lavinia_penniman) _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) _romantic_ Catherine is deeply in love with Morris, but he is a fortune hunter who ultimately abandons her, creating a relationship of betrayed affection. ### [Catherine Sloper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/catherine_sloper) _romantic_ Catherine is deeply in love with Morris, but he is a fortune hunter who ultimately abandons her, creating a relationship of betrayed affection. ### [Dr. Austin Sloper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/dr_austin_sloper) _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) _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) _rivalry_ Dr. Sloper sees Morris as a gold-digger and antagonist, using his intelligence and authority to try to drive him away from Catherine. ## In the story ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/iv) Morris is introduced as Arthur Townsend's cousin, charming and handsome, with a novel-like manner; he talks with Catherine and later with Mrs. Penniman. ### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/v) Morris visits with his cousin, engages Mrs. Penniman in conversation, and hints at his interest in Catherine, leaving her with a promise to return. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/vi) Morris visits Catherine again, spending over an hour with her, asking personal questions and sharing his opinions on travel and the arts. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/vii) Attends dinner at the Sloper home, senses Dr. Sloper's dislike, and discusses it with Catherine and Mrs. Penniman, showing his perceptiveness and charm. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/viii) Morris is described as a young man of leisure who visits frequently; Mrs. Penniman portrays him as sympathetic and sensitive, while the Doctor suspects mercenary motives. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/ix) Sits with Catherine at the party, later tells her her father insulted him by taunting his poverty, and insists on a secret meeting in the Square rather than at her house. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/x) Morris presses Catherine to settle their plans, warns her of her father's likely accusation of mercenary motives, and secures her promise of fidelity. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xi) Morris is discussed as Catherine's fiancé; the Doctor accuses him of being mercenary and having a dissipated past. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xii) Defends his love for Catherine and his intentions, but fails to convince Dr. Sloper; refuses to give up the engagement. ### [Chapter XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xiv) Discussed at length; Dr. Sloper characterizes him as selfish and shallow, living off his sister's charity. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xv) Writes passionate letters to Catherine, meets Mrs. Penniman secretly, and is irritated by her interference. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xvi) Meets Mrs. Penniman at a confectioner's shop; expresses bitterness about Catherine's lack of excitement; admits he likes Catherine's money but is troubled by the implications; walks Mrs. Penniman home and gazes at the Sloper house. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xvii) Reported by Mrs. Penniman as looking handsome but haggard; expresses readiness to marry Catherine despite everything; fears only that Catherine will be afraid of her father. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xviii) Morris is discussed but does not appear. Catherine has written to him four times, asking him to wait, and Dr. Sloper denounces him as a selfish idler. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xx) Morris presses Catherine for an immediate marriage, arguing logically and passionately. He dismisses Dr. Sloper's threat of disinheritance, insisting his affection is unaffected. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxi) Meets secretly with Mrs. Penniman, expresses frustration at her changing advice, and reveals Catherine has agreed to a private marriage. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxii) Hesitates to set a wedding date, calculating the risks of Catherine's fortune versus her unattractiveness and poverty. He avoids precipitancy while keeping Catherine's hopes alive. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxiii) Encourages Catherine to go to Europe, arguing it will mollify her father; becomes a frequent visitor at Mrs. Penniman's during the Doctor's absence. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxiv) Corresponds with Catherine regularly; his letters are enclosed in Mrs. Penniman's packets; remains the object of Dr. Sloper's contempt. ### [Chapter XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxv) Reported to have entered a partnership with a commission merchant, a development that pleases Catherine. ### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxvi) Visits Catherine in the front parlour; expresses desire to confront Dr. Sloper again; discusses his business success and his pride in proving the Doctor wrong. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxvii) Has been a frequent visitor during Dr. Sloper's absence, supported by Mrs. Penniman; his business is mentioned as making money. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxviii) Morris decides to give up Catherine, expressing frustration and seeking Mrs. Penniman's help to ease the breakup. He is ashamed but resolute, and he manipulates Mrs. Penniman into supporting his decision. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxix) Struggles to end the engagement, tries to provoke a quarrel, and invents a business trip to New Orleans. ### [Chapter XXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxx) Absent; has broken off the engagement and does not respond to Catherine's notes or Mrs. Penniman's request for an interview. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxxi) Morris sends Catherine a letter from Philadelphia explaining his decision to end the engagement. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxxii) Remains absent and unremittingly gone; Dr. Sloper suspects he is hiding and waiting for the Doctor's death to return. ### [Chapter XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxxiii) Mentioned as having grown fat and bald, still seeking a wife, and seen in New York at Marian Almond's house. ### [Chapter XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxxiv) Morris has returned to New York after many years abroad, reportedly changed and unsuccessful, but still expressing a desire to see Catherine and referring to her as 'the real romance of his life.' ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/xxxv) Morris returns after years, now aged forty-five, well-preserved and comfortable. He seeks reconciliation but is rebuffed by Catherine. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/morris_townsend - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters