"The inspiration of James's Washington Square (1881) was an anecdote told him by Fanny Kemble about a jilted heiress. The only child of a rich New York physician, shy, unattractive Catherine Sloper falls an easy victim to the attentions of a good-looking fortune-hunter. The clever domineering father whom she adores attempts to blight Catherine's feelings for her suitor, only to succeed in blighting her affection for him. Meanwhile, her meddling aunt, intent on stirring the fires of romance, threatens to turn Catherine's tragic experience into farce."