In the mid-19th century, shy and awkward Catherine Sloper lives under the oppressive shadow of her domineering father, Dr. Austin Sloper, a wealthy and prestigious physician in New York City's elegant Washington Square. Despite her wealth, Catherine struggles to gain her father's approval and affection, as he continuously compares her unfavorably to her deceased mother, a woman of great intelligence and beauty. Catherine's life takes a dramatic turn when she meets Morris Townsend, a charming but penniless suitor who immediately begins courting her, igniting hope within her for love and happiness.

Catherine's newfound romance, however, faces a stern obstacle. Dr. Sloper is suspicious of Morris's intentions, suspecting him of being a fortune hunter interested only in Catherine's substantial inheritance. Determined to protect his daughter from what he perceives as an inevitable heartbreak, Dr. Sloper makes it his mission to thwart the courtship. Catherine is torn between her filial duty and the desire for personal happiness, leading to escalating tension and conflict within the Sloper household. The struggle forces Catherine to confront her own insecurities and assert her independence amidst the rigid social expectations of her time.