Washington Square – Details, episodes & analysis

Washington Square is a captivating short novel by Henry James, first serialized in 1880 in both Cornhill Magazine and Harpers New Monthly Magazine. This structurally straightforward tragicomedy delves into the poignant conflict between a sweet yet unremarkable daughter and her brilliant, overbearing father. Often likened to the works of Jane Austen for its elegant prose and sharp focus on familial ties, James himself was not a fan of Austen and didnt hold Washington Square in high regard. In fact, during the compilation of his New York Edition of fiction (1907-1909), he struggled to revisit it for inclusion, ultimately leaving it out. Nevertheless, the novel has resonated with many readers, securing its place as one of the more beloved entries in the Jamesian oeuvre.