Theme:
The Flaws of Law:
In The Woman in White, Wilkie Collins shows that the law, instead of protecting the innocent, can sometimes be easily manipulated by powerful people. The story follows Walter Hartright, a young drawing teacher who loves Laura Fairlie. He tries to expose the wrongdoings of Laura’s husband, Sir Percival Glyde, and his partner, Count Fosco, who are plotting to steal Laura’s inheritance. The plot also revolves around a mysterious woman named Anne Catherick, who looks very similar to Laura and has escaped from a mental asylum. When Anne dies, Count Fosco locks Laura in the asylum under Anne’s name, pretending that Laura is dead so they can claim her fortune.
Even though Walter gathers evidence to build a case against Sir Percival, the novel shows that the law is not always fair or just. It can be controlled by those who have money and power. This means that people like Laura and Anne, who are vulnerable, can be easily taken advantage of. In the end, it’s not the law that brings justice, but the efforts of individuals like Walter who uncover the truth and fight against corruption.
Collins structures The Woman in White to look like a legal case. The story is presented as a series of documents collected by Walter, which tell the events from different characters’ points of view. This setup is similar to how evidence is presented to a jury in court. Walter makes sure that he only tells the parts of the story that he witnessed, leaving other parts to be told through letters, diaries, and legal documents from other characters. By doing this, Walter tries to be objective, just like a court should be, and lets the readers act as the “judge” who will decide who is guilty and who is innocent.
One important example in the novel is when Walter compares two church registers. One is a forged copy that Sir Percival uses to claim that his parents were married, while the other is the real one that proves they were not. This proves that Sir Percival is not the rightful Baronet of Blackwater. This part of the story shows that presenting written evidence can be a good way to find out the truth, at least in theory.
However, Collins also shows that, in reality, the law often fails the characters. Walter knows that his carefully collected evidence will never actually be presented in court. He realizes that the legal system is controlled by those with money, as he describes the law as the “pre-engaged servant of the long purse.” This means that rich people have more power in the legal system. When Walter brings his evidence to Mr. Kyrle, the Fairlie family’s lawyer, Mr. Kyrle refuses to take the case to court because Walter doesn’t have enough money to pay for a long trial. This shows that people without money, like Walter and Laura, don’t get a fair chance in court.
The novel also highlights that the voices of the poor and vulnerable, like Anne and Laura, are often ignored in the justice system. There is no direct testimony from Anne or Laura in the story, which reflects how they are silenced by the legal system. Women like Laura, who have fewer legal rights, and poor individuals like Anne, are especially disadvantaged.
Instead of protecting these vulnerable people, the law is often used against them by those who have power and money. Sir Percival, for example, marries Laura because he knows that he can legally take her fortune if she signs it over to him before her death. Even though Marian, Laura’s half-sister, asks their lawyer, Mr. Gilmore, to help Laura break off the engagement, Mr. Gilmore is fooled by Sir Percival’s charm and reputation as a wealthy man. This shows that powerful people like Sir Percival can easily manipulate the law to their advantage.
When Count Fosco successfully fakes Laura’s death, the legal documents, like her death certificate and the inscription on her tombstone, prevent her from reclaiming her identity and inheritance. Her fortune goes to Sir Percival, who shares it with Count Fosco. This situation demonstrates that while written evidence can help uncover the truth, the legal system that judges this evidence must be fair and unbiased. Otherwise, it will be exploited by those who have money and power, leaving the vulnerable without protection.
Justice and Morality:
In The Woman in White, Wilkie Collins shows that justice has a way of taking care of itself. Characters who do wrong things eventually get what they deserve, while those who act with good intentions are rewarded in the end. However, the characters in the novel are not just “good” or “bad.” Some of the good characters, like Walter Hartright and Marian Halcombe, are willing to break the law if it means protecting their loved ones. On the other hand, the bad characters, like Sir Percival Glyde and Count Fosco, escape punishment for a long time before their crimes catch up with them.
Collins suggests that what really matters is not the crime itself, but the intention behind it. If someone commits a crime for a good reason, like protecting someone they love, they shouldn’t be punished. But if someone commits a crime with bad intentions, they eventually bring about their own downfall.
The good characters in the novel don’t just sit back and wait for justice to happen—they actively work to do what’s right, even if they have to break the law to do it. For example, Marian breaks the law to rescue her sister, Laura, from the asylum where Count Fosco has imprisoned her under Anne Catherick’s identity.
Marian’s actions are seen as good because she’s doing it to save her sister, not for personal gain. Walter is also willing to break the law to protect Laura and Marian. He is ready to fight or even kill Sir Percival if necessary, but Sir Percival ends up dying in a fire before Walter has to act. Walter also blackmails Count Fosco into confessing his crimes. Like Marian, Walter’s actions might seem wrong, but they are motivated by his desire to achieve justice and protect the people he loves.
Collins rewards Marian and Walter at the end of the novel, showing that there’s a difference between actions that are corrupt and self-serving—like those of Count Fosco and Sir Percival—and actions that are noble and necessary, even if they involve breaking the law.
Even though Walter is ready to commit crimes if necessary, Collins shows that crimes often bring their own punishment. People like Count Fosco and Sir Percival, who commit crimes for personal gain, end up destroying themselves. In one part of the novel, Count Fosco makes fun of Laura and Marian for believing that “crimes cause their own detection.”
Count Fosco has been a criminal for a long time without getting caught, so he feels confident that he won’t be punished. But in the end, he’s proven wrong. Both he and Sir Percival meet their downfalls because of their own actions. Count Fosco becomes too comfortable and fails to hide from the dangerous political organization he betrayed, leading to his death. Sir Percival becomes paranoid and tries to destroy evidence of his crimes, which leads to his death in a fire. Walter helps bring about their destruction, but in the end, it’s their own crimes that cause their punishment.
By the end of The Woman in White, the characters’ fates reflect their behavior throughout the novel. Walter, Marian, and Laura, who have acted with good intentions, end up happy and safe. Sir Percival and Count Fosco, who have acted with evil intentions, are punished.
Sir Percival dies in a fire while trying to cover up his crimes, and Count Fosco is killed by the organization he betrayed. Even Anne Catherick, who dies tragically, finds some peace. She is buried in the tomb of Mrs. Fairlie, the woman she admired most, because everyone thinks she is Laura. This resolution is typical of nineteenth-century novels, where good behavior is rewarded, and bad behavior is punished. Collins’ message is clear: crimes may go unpunished for a while, but in the end, justice always catches up with those who commit them.
The Risky Side of Marriage for Women:
In The Woman in White, Wilkie Collins shows that marriage can be a dangerous situation for women, especially in the 19th century. During this time, women had fewer rights than men, and society believed that women were not as capable as men. Because of this, women found it very hard to challenge their husbands or keep control of their money and property once they were married.
Throughout the novel, Collins criticizes marriage because it often leaves women with nothing while men gain power and wealth. Although the novel does show that marriage for love, based on mutual respect—like Laura and Walter’s marriage at the end—can be a good thing, most marriages in the story highlight the unfair power balance between men and women in that time period.
Marriage in the novel is shown as something dangerous for women because it takes away their rights, power, and freedom. Laura’s marriage to Sir Percival Glyde puts her at risk of losing her identity, her money, and even her life. Even though Laura is rich, she has little control over her inheritance.
If Laura dies, her money will go to her husband and her aunt, Madame Fosco, who is married to Count Fosco, one of Sir Percival’s co-conspirators. This setup gives Sir Percival a financial reason to harm Laura. Also, like many wealthy women of that time, Laura has no real say in who she marries. Her father chose Sir Percival for her before he died, and Laura feels she must honor her father’s wish.
This situation makes Laura seem powerless, forced into a marriage with a man she doesn’t love. Once she marries Sir Percival, Laura loses the little freedom she had. She must ask his permission for her sister, Marian, to live with them, and she must live in Sir Percival’s house at Blackwater. Sir Percival even becomes physically aggressive with Laura and tries to keep her locked up. Although Marian reminds him that there are laws to protect women, Laura is still powerless against her husband’s schemes, showing how dangerous marriage can be for women.
The novel also shows that while women lose power through marriage, men gain more power. This makes marriage even riskier for women because men are motivated to marry wealthy women so they can control their money.
Sir Percival has a lot to gain from his marriage to Laura—if she dies, he will inherit a large sum of money and Limmeridge House, which is crucial because he is deeply in debt. Even though Sir Percival’s plan to kill Laura for her money is extreme, Collins uses this to show that marriage can leave women vulnerable because they have fewer rights, making them easy targets for men who want to take advantage of them. Similarly, Count Fosco has gained a lot from his marriage to Madame Fosco.
Madame Fosco was once a strong-willed young woman who fought for women’s rights, but after marrying the Count, she becomes obedient and loses her independent spirit. The Count benefits financially from this marriage and will gain even more if Laura dies, as Madame Fosco is set to inherit part of Laura’s fortune. The novel contrasts Madame Fosco with Marian, who is also outspoken and determined. However, unlike Madame Fosco, Marian chooses not to marry, calling herself a “confirmed spinster.” This decision supports Collins’ criticism of marriage as an institution that suppresses strong, independent women.
Despite the dangers, the novel shows that marriage isn’t always bad. When based on mutual love and respect, it can be a positive and fulfilling bond between two people. This is shown through the marriage of Walter and Laura. Although Walter, who is from a lower-middle-class background, could benefit financially from marrying Laura, he proves that his love for her is genuine. He shows his dedication by standing by her side through difficult times, even when she loses her fortune and identity. Walter’s marriage to Laura at the end of the novel is presented as a happy outcome, showing that marriage can be good when both partners are equals and care deeply for each other.
However, Collins suggests that this happy ending is rare. Most marriages in the novel are portrayed as dangerous traps for women, often leading to them losing the little power they have. Through The Woman in White, Collins critiques the institution of marriage in the 19th century, highlighting the risks it posed to women, who were often left powerless and vulnerable.
Hard Work and the “Self-Made” Man:
In The Woman in White, Wilkie Collins praises hard work, industry, and the idea of the “self-made” man—someone who becomes successful through his own efforts, without relying on family connections or wealth. In 19th-century Britain, society was organized by class, but it was possible for people to move up the social ladder, especially with the rise of the middle class.
The novel reflects these values by showing how Walter Hartright, the hardworking main character, triumphs over dishonest and corrupt individuals like Sir Percival Glyde. However, Walter’s success is not just because of his hard work; it is also due to his noble character. By the end of the novel, the marriage between Laura Fairlie and Walter represents a blend of what many Victorians saw as the best qualities of both the upper and middle classes: the virtue and refinement of the upper class combined with the industry and innovation of the self-made man.
While the novel suggests that nobility is linked to virtue, it also shows that not all upper-class characters are virtuous. Some, like Count Fosco and Mr. Fairlie, are associated with laziness and deceit. Mr. Fairlie, for example, pretends to be weak and helpless, a behavior that was common among the aristocracy in the past to show off their delicate and refined nature.
However, Mr. Fairlie’s refusal to help Marian throughout the novel makes him seem like a parody of these outdated aristocratic values. Count Fosco, on the other hand, uses his love for the arts to present himself as a refined and noble person. Both characters use these affectations to show off their social rank, but underneath, they are self-serving and corrupt. Collins suggests that true nobility is not about pretending to be delicate or refined; it’s about having real virtue and character.
In contrast, the novel celebrates hardworking middle-class characters like Walter, who earn the right to rise above their social status. This makes them more deserving of success than those born into nobility. The novel includes first-person accounts from various characters, including servants like Mrs. Michelson and middle-class people like lawyers, alongside the perspectives of upper-class characters like Marian and Mr. Fairlie. By doing this, Collins shows that people from all ranks contribute to society and highlights the social mobility that was beginning to take place in the 19th century.
Professor Pesca, an Italian friend of Walter’s, is a good example of a hardworking, middle-class character. He represents the opposite of Count Fosco. While the Count is untrustworthy, Pesca is warm, loyal, and hardworking. Although the novel reflects some 19th-century British values that were suspicious of foreigners, Collins presents Pesca as an asset to British society because of his work ethic and enthusiasm for British values.
Similarly, Sir Percival Glyde is portrayed as the opposite of Walter. While Walter values hard work and integrity over wealth and social rank, Sir Percival tries to avoid work by forging his parents’ marriage certificate to inherit a fortune he doesn’t deserve. In the end, Walter is rewarded for his hard work, while Sir Percival is punished for trying to rise above his social position through dishonest means. This shows Collins’ belief that self-made men like Walter are superior to those who seek titles and rank without earning them.
Despite praising hardworking middle-class characters, the novel still supports the idea that the upper classes are important and worth aspiring to. Laura Fairlie, for example, is presented as someone who is entitled to and deserving of her inheritance. She is shown as a virtuous person and an innocent victim of Count Fosco and Sir Percival Glyde, who try to steal her rightful place in society. This suggests that Collins, along with his middle-class audience, generally supported the social order imposed by the class system.
Walter, for his part, is motivated to work hard and solve the mystery of the woman in white because he cannot afford to hire a lawyer. He even sees his poverty as a good thing because it pushes him to work harder and allows him to think in new ways that help solve the mystery.
While Sir Percival is punished for trying to rise above his social status undeservingly, Walter is rewarded because he earns his success through hard work and virtue. Even though the class system was changing in the 19th century, there was still a belief among the middle class that some form of social order should be preserved.
The Oppression of Women:
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins tells the story of women who suffer greatly under the control and oppression of men. The main female characters, Laura Fairlie and Anne Catherick, endure severe physical and emotional pain because of the harsh rules of the patriarchal society they live in. In this society, men hold most of the power, and women have very little control over their own lives.
Laura’s uncle, who is supposed to protect her, does nothing to safeguard her happiness or property. He is indifferent to her well-being, just as Anne Catherick’s mother is indifferent to her daughter’s suffering when she is locked away in an asylum. The story shows that women like Laura and Anne have little power to shape their lives as they wish. They are forced to live under the control of men and must accept their decisions, even when those decisions lead to misery.
Laura and her half-sister Marian are denied the opportunity for higher education. Instead, they are taught only “feminine” subjects like painting and music, which were considered appropriate for women during the Victorian era. They are confined to their home and are not allowed to work or explore the world outside. They are stuck in the domestic sphere, always under the watchful eyes of men like their uncle and their lawyer.
Even when it comes to marriage, Laura and Marian have no real freedom to choose their partners. They have to follow the wishes of their controlling fathers and uncles. Their mobility and freedom are further restricted by the heavy, uncomfortable Victorian dresses they must wear, which include layers of petticoats, tight corsets, and wide skirts. These clothes are a symbol of how their lives are limited by the expectations of society.
However, the world controlled by men in this story is far from perfect—it’s actually quite dysfunctional. By following the wishes of the men around her, Laura ends up in a terrible marriage, where she suffers from physical abuse, poisoning, imprisonment, and even the loss of her legal identity. Her life becomes a nightmare because of the decisions made by the men in her life.
Marian, on the other hand, is a strong-willed character who speaks out against the injustices that women face. She believes that women must take matters into their own hands to protect themselves, as the men around them are often careless, cruel, and ineffective. Marian is portrayed as an early feminist, deeply resenting the unfairness and oppression of the patriarchal system that controls their lives. She is determined to fight against the tyranny of men and to stand up for the rights and well-being of women.
Marian Halcombe: A Proto-Feminist Ahead of Her Time
The Woman in White was published in the early 1860s, a time when the idea of the “New Woman” had not yet taken shape. During this period, most middle- and upper-class women were confined to the domestic sphere. Their main roles were to bear children, educate them, manage the household, and socialize with friends. Women were not given the opportunity for higher education or the freedom to pursue their own interests.
The “New Woman” was a figure who emerged later, at the end of the 19th century. She was an unconventional woman who defied the oppressive rules of the patriarchal society. The New Woman challenged traditional gender roles and embraced activities and traits that were previously reserved only for men.
In The Woman in White, Marian Halcombe is a character who can be seen as a proto-feminist—a woman who embodies many of the qualities that would later define the New Woman. Marian is highly aware of the unfairness of the patriarchal system. She cares deeply about women’s rights and uses her courage, determination, and intelligence to protect the interests of women around her.
Marian’s appearance also challenges the conventional image of Victorian women. She has masculine features, with “piercing and resolute” eyes and a “bright, frank, intelligent” expression. These traits set her apart from the typical, delicate Victorian woman. In short, Marian is a woman who possesses agency and power.
Despite the rigid restrictions of the patriarchal system, Marian is not easily intimidated. She believes that a woman with courage and strength can stand up to the men around her and refuse to be oppressed. Marian’s character shows that even in the 1860s, there were women who challenged the norms and paved the way for the New Woman who would emerge later in the century.
The Dangers of Excessive Refinement:
The Victorian era was a time of great progress in industry, science, and the arts. However, by the 1860s, many people were beginning to worry that their society was becoming too refined and luxurious. Mr. Frederick Fairlie, a character in The Woman in White, perfectly represents these concerns.
Mr. Fairlie is a wealthy man who spends his days doing very little. He claims to be an invalid and focuses all his energy on his obsession with art. His impressive collection of artwork shows his deep appreciation for beauty and aesthetics. However, his character also highlights a problem: when people become too focused on luxury and refinement, they can become idle and unproductive.
In Mr. Fairlie, we see how wealth and civilization, when taken to extremes, can lead to a life of laziness and decadence. His obsessive pursuit of art and beauty, while impressive, is not socially useful. It serves as a warning that when a society becomes too advanced and refined, it risks wasting away through its own excesses. Obsessive focus on aesthetics, especially among the wealthy, can be harmful if it leads to a life of idleness without contributing anything meaningful to society.
The Woman in White: A Shocking Critical Analysis helps to understand the novel better.
Understanding Anne Catherick: A Victim of Her Circumstances
In The Woman in White, Anne Catherick is often described by others as strange and mentally unstable. Characters like Mrs. Fairlie, Mrs. Clements, and Laura Fairlie think there is something abnormal about Anne’s emotions and behavior. Because of this perception, Sir Percival Glyde, who is afraid that Anne knows a dangerous secret about him, takes advantage of her vulnerable state and has her locked away in an asylum.
However, Walter Hartright, one of the novel’s key characters, sees Anne differently. He doesn’t believe that she is truly insane and argues that she shouldn’t be imprisoned in the asylum. Anne has faced a lot of hardship in her life. She is the illegitimate daughter of a harsh mother who doesn’t care for her, and she has been wrongfully imprisoned and emotionally tormented. It’s possible that Anne’s emotional instability is not due to any inherent mental illness but rather the result of the pain and suffering she has endured throughout her life.
During the Victorian era, psychiatry was still in its early stages, and society often treated people who were emotionally distressed with cruelty. Instead of trying to understand the root causes of their suffering, people were quick to label them as insane and isolate them from society. This was seen as a way to protect public security, even though it often ignored the real issues these individuals faced.
Anne’s situation reflects this societal attitude. Many people are quick to dismiss her as mentally ill without considering the difficult circumstances that have shaped her life. Walter Hartright, on the other hand, notices that Anne’s behavior is not wild or abnormal. She speaks coherently, and her manners are almost ladylike. Her distress and nervousness are understandable because she lives in constant fear of Sir Percival’s persecution, and she is deeply unhappy due to being cast out of her home and living a rootless life. These feelings are not signs of insanity; they are normal responses to her difficult situation.
The novel also shows that even someone like Laura Fairlie, who was mentally healthy before her marriage, can suffer a complete mental breakdown after being wrongfully imprisoned in the asylum. This suggests that Anne’s emotional disturbances could be explained by the abuse and unhappiness she has experienced rather than any inherent flaw in her mind. In essence, Anne Catherick is more a victim of her harsh circumstances than someone who is truly mentally ill.
Middle-Class Values vs. Upper-Class Decadence
During the Victorian era, middle-class values such as hard work, honesty, and modesty were highly praised. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert championed these qualities and believed that the aristocracy’s laziness and moral failures were harmful to society. In The Woman in White, the novel contrasts these middle-class virtues with the vices of the upper class through characters like Sir Percival, Count Fosco, and Mr. Frederick Fairlie.
These three upper-class men are portrayed as lazy, cruel, and deceitful. Sir Percival steals his father’s property by faking a marriage, Count Fosco betrays his allies and uses deception for his gain, and Mr. Fairlie is a wealthy man who does nothing productive, focusing only on his art collection.
In contrast, middle-class characters like Walter Hartright and Marian Halcombe are depicted as hardworking, brave, and virtuous. They lack great wealth but show courage and resolve, ultimately helping to save Laura Fairlie and achieving success through their middle-class virtues. The novel ends with the downfall of Sir Percival, Count Fosco, and Mr. Fairlie, showing that their lazy, aristocratic lifestyles lead to their ruin and do not pass on to future generations.
The Impact of Travel:
The novel also highlights how changes in transportation, like the expansion of railroads, affect the plot. In the 1860s, traveling became easier and faster, allowing people to move quickly across England. This rapid travel is crucial to the story’s events, as characters need to move discreetly between locations. For instance, Count Fosco’s confession reveals how he and the Countess traveled frequently between different places to carry out their schemes.
While faster travel creates new opportunities for complex plots, it also brings challenges. The ability to move around freely makes it harder to track people’s actions, leading to confusion and suspicion. This increased mobility allows characters to engage in deceitful behavior, as seen in the novel’s conspiracies. Walter Hartright’s ability to post bail, despite being unknown in the town, highlights how new travel opportunities can also lead to issues with accountability and trust.
The Role of Documents:
Documents play a key role in the story, as the plot revolves around various papers like marriage registers, letters, and reports. These documents are used to uncover truths and verify events. For example, the forged marriage record and the letter confirming Laura’s departure are crucial to the mystery.
However, the novel also shows that documents can be tampered with or falsified, raising questions about their reliability. This theme encourages readers to consider the nature of written records and their role in the story. Despite the dramatic events, the use of different documents by various narrators gives the novel a sense of accuracy and thoroughness, making the story’s portrayal of events seem more credible.
