He was free, but he was also not.
-- Narrator (Book 1, Part 5)

Importance: Throughout the majority of his life, David has been complacent. Though he is in his late twenties, he still lives at home with his grandfather, is unmarried, and does not hold a full time job. This lifestyle feels comfortable to David because his future is always decided for him. However, in the days after David learns he will inherit Washington Square, he feels increasingly trapped. Meeting Edward only amplifies David's feelings of claustrophobia and angst. Suddenly he begins questioning not only the dimensions of his home life, but the nature of his identity, his future, and his entire reality in the Free States. In this moment, he is particularly interrogating his freedom. His wealth and his family name have afforded him many liberties. Yet he still does not have what he wants. The moment contributes to the author's explorations concerning freedom and...