Henry James, in Washington Square, provides a direct challenge to our preconceived notions of the novel of manners, notably through his chosen ending for the novella. After developing an idea about these principles through the works of Jane Austen, the reader may reasonably go into James's story with an expectation of a bright finish - but he refuses to conform his work to meet these hopes. With the conclusion of Washington Square, James impedes both the romantic and rational expectations of the audience and forces the reader to redefine their concept of a reasonable and realistic ending.
The end of this novella undoubtedly frustrates the reader's romantic instincts - the same instincts that Jane Austen endeavored to gratify. …
