Washington Square tells the poignant and gently comic story of Catherine Sloper, a sweet and unassuming young heiress, and her fortune-seeking suitor Morris Townsend. Set in New York City during the 1840s, the story follows Ms Sloper's conflicts with her concerned father, who attempts to thwart Mr Townsend, and her busybody aunt, who encourages the attachment. But amid all the duplicity and folly, Ms Sloper slowly grows towards independence and maturity, and begins to make her own decisions.