To what extent is the relationship between Catherine and Dr Sloper an expression of Catherine’s independence

Over the course of the novel, we come to see that Dr. Sloper sees Catherine as falling short of his expectations. As a result, Catherine cannot seem to garner her father's approval. In the end, Catherine comes to see that her father's vision of who she is and the ways in which she is lacking are in his imagination. Catherine learns to embrace her own intelligence, and as a result, breaks free as an individual. Thus, she does assert her independence, and even though she suffers heartbreak along the way, she becomes as independent woman.