Dr. Austin Sloper, a man in his early fifties, has succeeded brilliantly in his profession. He has never recovered from the death of his wife, a beautiful and vivacious woman who died shortly after Catherine's birth. Dr. Sloper is clever, experienced, perceptive, satirical, and almost always certain he is right. He often speaks ironically to Catherine who, having no way to retaliate, loves him anyway. She is also afraid of him, and defying his disapproval of Morris is a fearful step.