Washington Square · Character

Mrs. Almond

Dr. Sloper's sensible, sharp-tongued sister, the one relative who sees the family's cruelty clearly and says so.

supporting

Also known as Almond, this Mrs. Almond

First appearance: II

As a supporting figure in Washington Square, Mrs. Almond is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

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Mrs. Almond is the Doctor's preferred sister — comfortable, reasonable, and unafraid to puncture his icy detachment with dry wit. She warns him that Catherine will cling like a dented copper kettle, and she is the only…

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See Mrs. Almond in II

Character Web

6 connections

A slice of how Mrs. Almond sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Family
Social
Other

Character groups

Central Love Triangle & Family
Protagonist

+1 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because Dr. Sloper explicitly acknowledges that Catherine will not break u…

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Relationships

Catherine Sloper
family · positive
Lavinia Penniman
family · ambivalent
Morris Townsend
social · ambivalent
Dr. Austin Sloper
family · positive
Catherine Sloper
family · positive
Catherine Sloper
family · positive
Lavinia Penniman
family · ambivalent
Dr. Austin Sloper
family · positive
Dr. Austin Sloper
family · positive

Catherine Sloper
Mrs. Almond is Catherine's aunt, a sensible and kind woman who offers Catherine quiet support and a more balanced perspective than Lavinia.
Lavinia Penniman
Lavinia and Mrs. Almond are sisters-in-law, with Mrs. Almond often serving as a voice of reason against Lavinia's romantic meddling.
Morris Townsend
Morris is polite to Mrs. Almond, but she is wary of him and sees through his charm, unlike Lavinia.
Dr. Austin Sloper
Dr. Sloper respects Mrs. Almond as his sensible sister-in-law, and they share a mutual understanding about Catherine's situation.
Catherine Sloper
Mrs. Almond is Catherine's aunt, a sensible and kind woman who offers Catherine quiet support and a more balanced perspective than Lavinia.
Catherine Sloper
Mrs. Almond is Catherine's aunt, a sensible and kind woman who offers Catherine quiet support and a more balanced perspective than Lavinia.
Lavinia Penniman
Lavinia and Mrs. Almond are sisters-in-law, with Mrs. Almond often serving as a voice of reason against Lavinia's romantic meddling.
Dr. Austin Sloper
Dr. Sloper respects Mrs. Almond as his sensible sister-in-law, and they share a mutual understanding about Catherine's situation.
Dr. Austin Sloper
Dr. Sloper respects Mrs. Almond as his sensible sister-in-law, and they share a mutual understanding about Catherine's situation.

Relationship notes

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See Mrs. Almond in II

In the story

Mrs. Almond appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

II
Dr. Sloper's younger sister, a comely and reasonable woman, and a favorite of her brother. She is the mother of a blooming family.
III
Catherine's aunt, who lives uptown and gives a party to celebrate her daughter's engagement; she has nine children.
Chapter VI
Mrs. Almond provides Dr. Sloper with information about Morris Townsend, including his lack of profession and his sister Mrs. Montgomery.
VII
Discusses Morris with Dr. Sloper, defending him as a branch of the Townsends and suggesting the key is for Catherine to see his true nature.
Chapter IX
Hosts the Sunday evening gathering; agrees to arrange a meeting between Dr. Sloper and Mrs. Montgomery; privately notes that Morris does not have the cut of a schoolmaster.
XIII
Questions Dr. Sloper's certainty and expresses sympathy for Catherine's dilemma.
XXI
Engages in a clever conversation with Dr. Sloper about Catherine's character, comparing her to a copper kettle that retains a dent.
XXIII
Disapproves of Mrs. Penniman's relations with Morris and warns that if Catherine loses her inheritance, Morris will become cruel.
XXVII
Discusses Catherine's steadfastness with Dr. Sloper and shows motherly kindness to Catherine.
XXXI
Mrs. Almond discusses Catherine's situation with Mrs. Penniman, expressing that Morris ought to be horsewhipped.
XXXII
Takes up Catherine after the rupture and criticizes Dr. Sloper for his lack of sympathy, though she learns no secrets from Catherine.
Chapter XXXIII
Mentioned as a legatee in Dr. Sloper's will, receiving an annuity.

Chapter companion notes

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See Mrs. Almond in II