Woman in White
{{The Woman in White}}
Basic Info
- Author: Wilkie Collins
- Year: 1860
- Type: #primary1
Summary (brief)
Walter Hartright, a drawing teacher, walking from London to Hampstead; he is stopped by a distressed, ghostly woman dressed entirely in white. After helping her find her way to London, Walter discovers from her pursuers that she has escaped from a lunatic asylum (Anne Catherick). Walter, at his assignment, falls in love with Laura, who is engaged to Sir Percival Glyde (per her father's dying wish). Laura also greatly resembles Anne Catherick (because they are half sisters). Anne Catherick sends Laura a crypic warning to not marry Glyde- but they do anyway. They move to Blackwater Park. Percival is in debt and tries to force Laura to sign away her 30K inheritance but she refuses. Glyde enlists Count Fosco. Marian spies on the men and uncovers their plot; she falls dangerously ill with typhus; They trick Laura into traveling to London, drug her, and force her into an asylum under Anne's name. The real Anne Catherick dies of a heart condition and is buried 8nder Laura Fairlie's identity. With Laura officially "dead," Percival gets the money. Marian discove4rs Laura in the asylum and helps her escape. Laura's family refuses to recognize her. Walter vows to restore her identity. Walter discovers that Percival is illegitimate, meaning her forged documents to claim his title and estate. While destroying evidence, he accidentally sets the church on fire and perishes inside. Walter discovers that Fosco is a political enemey and he blackmails Fosco into writing a full, written confession, but he is murdered in Paris shortly after. alter and Laura marry.
Major Themes
Key Passages / Quotes
Quote 1
quote:: “I am no bird.”
page:: 197
themes:: freedom, identity
Genre Notes
-One of the first sensation novels; structured like a courtroom trial; uses many first-person narrators to piece together a massive conspiracy
Characters / Concepts (if relevant)
Marian Hoalcomb
Count Fosco
Percival Glyde
Walter, Laura
Theory Connections
Related Texts
My Argument / Interpretation
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