This story commences in Manhattan at the beginning of the 17th century but it is written from Paris. It is a very interesting story talking about an American setting with American characters. It has several themes including family betrayal, deception, truth, and imagination, and family domesticity among others. However, the theme of a social mechanism involving class and money stands out right from the beginning.
In chapter one as the story commences, we meet Austin Sloper, a young man who has established himself as a doctor hence fitting in a given clique of people in society. Sloper is exceedingly intelligent which propels him to a level of high reputation. He does everything to remain in this coterie of the rich. To ensure that his social class is not lowered, he marries Catherine Harrington, an extremely affluent young woman. As the story unfolds, we realize that Sloper is not severally wealthy but the doctoral practice is bringing in good money and fame. He has a newfound wealth. Nevertheless, this young man works sedulously even though he has good money.
What could drive a young man, to work day and night despite having accumulated good wealth? All these happen to remain in a given social class and the general greed of money. Unfortunately, after Catherine Harrington gives birth to a second child, she falls sick and dies. The newly born child, a girl, is named after her mother: Catherine. This is a big blow to Sloper, who feels robbed of his better half, which poses a threat to his social class. Moreover, the newly born girl does not fit in this class because according to Sloper, she is void of seemliness, intelligence, and peachiness that characterized her mother. Why does an innocent child have to possess all these characters? Well, according to Sloper, the people around him have to fit in a given class and anyone short of this is unwelcome and so is her daughter, Catherine.
To improve the status of Catherine, Dr. Sloper invites her sister, Mrs. Penniman to ensure that Catherine grows to a refined person, who is not dumb, boring, and stupid. Remember Mrs. Penniman is a widow, formerly espoused to a wretched clergyman. This class never fits in Sloper’s class but for the sake of her daughter, he has to stoop low. Almond Elizabeth, the other sister to Sloper, fits well in this upper class as we learn later that, she is espoused to a flourishing merchant. Interestingly, money is all that counts for anyone to be in this class. Despite the fact that Mrs. Elizabeth is less imaginative than Mrs. Penniman, she qualifies to be a member of this upper social class because she has money.
Catherine grows to become a good person but not as intelligent as her father would have wanted. Mr. Sloper never appreciates the role played by Mrs. Penniman in bringing up his daughter. The fact that Catherine turns 22 and she cannot find a man to marry, confirms Dr. Sloper’s fears that she is not intelligent. Nevertheless, in a party organized by Mrs. Penniman, to celebrate her daughter’s engagement, Catherine finally finds her suitor, Mr. Morris Townsend. This is a jobless, penniless, and fatherless young man living with his sister. Unfortunately, this man is unlikely to get approval from Dr. Sloper. As anticipated, Dr. Sloper disapproves of Mr. Townsend immediately and he actually warns her daughter, Catherine that, she will lose all her money/wealth should she marry the likes of Townsend. This marks the end of Townsend’s charm to Catherine for now until Mr. Sloper dies. Poor Townsend fails to marry his missy on the merit of poverty. Catherine is enchanted about life and all that it has to offer. It is all about money and class; a class, not all can fit in.