Do you think it is a weakness of the novel that the heroine is a dull
It is clear from the start of the novel, that James does not intend his heroine to be the stereotypically beautiful, intelligent young woman. This may cause us to sympathise less with Catherine, however it is the unexpected emergence of a stronger character within Catherine later in the novel that makes Washington Square so riveting and effective. ... This could have led them to believe that the novel, as well as Catherine, was dull and plain. ... Thus the novel would simply be a love story between Morris and Catherine, but where would the interest be without the disapproving father? Any part of the novel that creates good reading would have to be emitted due to Catherine’s good character. At the beginning of the novel, James encourages us to view “poor Catherine” unsympathetically. ... Through their attitudes towards Catherine we can to a certain extent understand and sympathise and allow ourselves to perhaps withhold a judgement until the novel progresses. ... Although she is dull and dim-witted, James never disputes that Catherine has a good heart and it could be argued that these qualities are insignificant if the person in question is morally good. ... It is therefore satisfying when, by the end of the novel, Catherine has defeated the initial expectations of her and become more than any of the other characters, or in fact the reader, would have expected her to.