Characters:
Walter Hartright
Walter Hartright is a 28-year-old drawing teacher who comes from a middle-class family. He’s not very rich and struggles financially at the start of the novel. Despite this, Walter is brave, hardworking, honest, and kind. He helps protect Laura Fairlie, the main heroine, and ultimately marries her. His middle-class values and determination are important in overcoming the evil schemes of Sir Percival and Count Fosco. Walter’s narration gives readers insight into the story and his perspective helps shape the narrative.
Laura Fairlie
Laura Fairlie is a beautiful 20-year-old heiress who faces many hardships throughout the novel. She is kind, gentle, and embodies the qualities of a Victorian upper-class lady. Laura endures sadness, abuse, and imprisonment but remains a symbol of beauty and grace. She is forced to marry Sir Percival Glyde, who treats her badly. Laura eventually regains her happiness, marries Walter, and inherits her family estate.
Marian Halcombe
Marian Halcombe is Laura’s half-sister and a strong, brave character who contrasts sharply with Laura. Marian is plain but determined and protective. She defies Victorian expectations of women by being independent and courageous. Marian’s loyalty to Laura is unwavering, and her intelligence and strength make her a key figure in battling the villains. Her illness in the middle of the story creates a difficult situation for Laura.
Frederick Fairlie
Frederick Fairlie is Laura’s uncle and guardian. He is wealthy but selfish and ineffective. Frederick is portrayed as a nervous and invalid man who is more interested in his collection of art than in Laura’s well-being. His neglect and indifference to Laura’s situation highlight his failings as a guardian. Frederick’s death at the end of the novel leads to Laura inheriting his estate.
Anne Catherick
Anne Catherick is the “woman in white” whom Walter encounters early in the story. She wears white clothing and is Laura’s half-sister, though she doesn’t know this at first. Anne suffers greatly throughout her life, including abuse and imprisonment. Her resemblance to Laura and her tragic fate play a significant role in the novel’s plot. Anne’s mistreatment is a critique of how mentally ill individuals were treated during the Victorian era.
Jane Catherick
Jane Catherick is Anne’s mother, once beautiful and lively. She had an affair with Laura’s father, resulting in Anne’s birth. Jane is ambitious and loves luxury. She gets involved with Sir Percival Glyde and helps him by providing access to important documents. Although she tries to regain respectability through money, her past and her actions reflect the theme of social climbing in Victorian society.
Sir Percival Glyde
Sir Percival Glyde is Laura’s husband and one of the main villains. He is cruel, greedy, and deceitful. Percival is the illegitimate son of a baronet and fakes documents to claim a title and estate he doesn’t deserve. He mistreats Laura and is involved in numerous schemes to harm her. His eventual death by fire symbolizes the destruction of his wicked ways and allows Laura to be freed from his control.
Count Fosco
Count Fosco is a sophisticated but evil character from Italy. He is highly cultured and skilled in deception. Fosco helps Percival with his schemes and is known for his intelligence and manipulation. He despises English morals and considers himself above them. Fosco’s end comes when he is killed by a member of his former secret organization.
Professor Pesca
Professor Pesca is an Italian who teaches Italian in England and becomes Walter’s close friend. He helps Walter get a teaching job and supports him in fighting against Fosco’s plans. Pesca is cheerful and plays a significant role in the story’s resolution.
Eleanor Fosco
Eleanor Fosco is Laura’s aunt and Count Fosco’s wife. Once lively and supportive of women’s rights, she becomes submissive to her husband. Eleanor’s inheritance is tied to Laura’s ability to produce an heir, and her character highlights the influence of marriage on women’s lives.
Mrs. Clements
Mrs. Clements is Anne Catherick’s devoted friend who tries to protect her. She helps Anne escape from danger and shows compassion towards her friend’s suffering.
Mr. Gilmore
Mr. Gilmore is Laura’s family solicitor. He is hardworking, responsible, and dedicated to helping Laura. He tries to secure a better marriage settlement for Laura and warns Frederick Fairlie about Percival’s true intentions.
Sarah Hartright
Sarah Hartright is Walter’s unmarried sister who lives with their mother in Hampstead.
Mrs. Hartright
Mrs. Hartright is Walter’s widowed mother.
Mrs. Vesey
Mrs. Vesey is Laura’s governess and companion. Though well-meaning, she is ineffective in protecting Laura from danger.
Jacob Postlewaithe
Jacob Postlewaithe is a young schoolboy who claims to have seen a “woman in white” in the graveyard at night.
Mr. Dempster
Mr. Dempster is the town schoolteacher.
Mrs. Todd
Mrs. Todd is a relative of Mrs. Clements who provides refuge for Anne after her escape.
Mr. Merriman
Mr. Merriman is Sir Percival’s solicitor who negotiates the marriage contract with Mr. Gilmore.
Margaret Porcher
Margaret Porcher is a servant at Blackwater Park who is easily manipulated and plays a role in the conspiracy.
Fanny
Fanny is Laura’s personal maid at Blackwater Park. She is dismissed by Sir Percival when he becomes suspicious of her loyalty.
Mrs. Eliza Michelson
Mrs. Eliza Michelson is the housekeeper at Blackwater Park, concerned with social appearances and reputation.
Mr. Dawson
Mr. Dawson is a local doctor who treats Marian and later helps Walter by standing bail for him.
Mrs. Rubelle
Mrs. Rubelle is a nurse hired by Count Fosco to care for Marian during her illness, though she is later revealed to be a conspirator.
Hester Pinhorn
Hester Pinhorn is a cook hired in London who provides information about Anne’s death and burial.
Mr. Goodricke
Mr. Goodricke is the London doctor who attends to Anne before her death and registers the death, which is crucial to the plot.
Jane Gould
Jane Gould is the woman who prepares Anne’s body for burial.
Mr. Kyrle
Mr. Kyrle is a lawyer who assists Mr. Gilmore and becomes involved in Laura’s case.
Mr. Wansborough
Mr. Wansborough is a lawyer who helps maintain parish records and provides important information about the marriage register.
