Themes

• Identity and deception

• The vulnerability of women in Victorian society

• The power of secrets and their consequences

• Class distinctions and social mobility

• The contrast between reason and emotion

• The blurred line between sanity and madness

• The strength of family bonds and loyalty

Setting

Set in the mid-19th century, The Woman in White unfolds primarily in Victorian England, capturing the era’s social norms and legal realities. The story begins in London, where the protagonist Walter Hartright has his fateful encounter with the mysterious woman dressed in white. From there, the narrative shifts to the fictional Limmeridge House in Cumberland, a picturesque rural setting that becomes central to the plot.

As the story progresses, the action moves between various locations in England, including the ominous Blackwater Park in Hampshire. This grand estate serves as a backdrop for much of the intrigue and suspense that drives the plot forward. The novel also briefly touches on Italy, where some characters travel, adding an international dimension to the predominantly English setting.

Throughout the story, Wilkie Collins vividly portrays the stark contrasts between bustling London and the tranquil countryside, as well as the differences between the lavish estates of the wealthy and the more modest dwellings of the working class. These diverse settings not only provide a rich backdrop for the unfolding mystery but also reflect the social hierarchies and tensions of Victorian society, which play a crucial role in the novel's themes and plot developments.

Characters

• Walter Hartright: The protagonist, an art teacher who encounters the mysterious woman in white. He falls in love with Laura Fairlie and becomes embroiled in the sinister plot against her. Walter is intelligent, determined, and driven by a strong sense of justice. His sleuthing skills make him an early example of a detective character in literature.

• Laura Fairlie: The beautiful and naive heiress who becomes the target of a nefarious scheme. She bears a striking resemblance to Anne Catherick and falls in love with Walter Hartright. Laura is gentle, trusting, and vulnerable, making her an easy target for manipulation.

• Marian Halcombe: Laura's intelligent and resourceful half-sister. She is fiercely protective of Laura and becomes a key ally to Walter in uncovering the truth. While Marian is described as unattractive, she possesses a sharp mind and strong will, making her one of the novel’s most memorable characters.

• Sir Percival Glyde: Laura's husband and one of the main antagonists. A baronet with a dark secret, Glyde conspires to steal Laura's fortune. He can be charming but is often abrasive and becomes increasingly desperate as his schemes unravel.

• Count Fosco: Glyde's friend and co-conspirator, an intelligent and charismatic Italian nobleman. He is the mastermind behind the plot against Laura and proves to be a formidable opponent. Fosco is portrayed as eccentric, cunning, and morally ambiguous, making him one of literature's most intriguing villains.

• Anne Catherick: The mysterious “woman in white” who resembles Laura Fairlie. She is a key figure in the mystery, holding a secret that threatens Sir Percival Glyde. Anne is mentally fragile and has a deep connection to Laura's family.

• Frederick Fairlie: Laura's uncle and guardian. A selfish and weak-willed hypochondriac, he prioritizes his own comfort over his niece's well-being.

• Countess Fosco: Laura's aunt and Count Fosco's wife. Once lively and independent, she is now completely subservient to her husband's will.

• Professor Pesca: Walter's friend, an Italian language teacher. He unwittingly sets the story in motion by recommending Walter for the position at Limmeridge House.

• Jane Catherick: Anne's unsympathetic, self-serving mother, who is involved in Glyde's schemes. 

Quick facts

• The Woman in White is considered one of the first mystery novels written in the English language and helped establish many of the genre’s conventions.

• The novel was originally published in serial form from 1859 to 1860 in Charles Dickens's magazine All the Year Round.

• Wilkie Collins was inspired to write the story after witnessing a woman in distress dressed all in white one night in London.

• The character of Count Fosco was partly based on Napoleon III, whom Collins had met in Paris.

• Collins drew on his legal training to structure the novel like a series of witness testimonies.

• The Woman in White was an immediate bestseller and launched Collins's career as a novelist.

• The novel explores themes of identity, insanity, and the vulnerable position of married women in Victorian society.

• The Woman in White has been adapted numerous times for stage, radio, film, and TV, including a 2018 BBC miniseries starring Ben Hardy and Jessie Buckley. 

• Andrew Lloyd Webber turned the story into a West End musical in 2004. 

• Collins considered the novel his best work and had “Author of The Woman in White” inscribed on his tombstone.

About the Author

Wilkie Collins (1824-1889) was a pioneering English novelist and playwright. His most famous works include The Woman in White (1859), one of the earliest mystery novels, and The Moonstone (1868), considered by many to be the first modern English detective novel. Collins was a close friend and collaborator of Charles Dickens, with many of his stories first appearing in Dickens's magazine All the Year Round.

Born in London to a painter father, Collins spent part of his childhood in Italy and France, learning multiple languages. He initially worked as a tea merchant and studied law before turning to writing full-time. Collins achieved both critical and commercial success in the 1860s with his “sensation novels,” combining elements of Gothic romance and mystery. His intricate plots, unconventional narrative structures, and exploration of social issues helped establish him as one of the most popular authors of the Victorian era.

Collins struggled with gout for much of his adult life and became addicted to laudanum, which he took to manage the pain. This addiction, along with the loss of his friend and mentor Dickens in 1870, is thought to have contributed to a decline in the quality of his later works. Despite this, Collins remained a prolific writer until the end of his life, producing novels, short stories, and plays that often addressed controversial social topics of the day.

In his personal life, Collins eschewed traditional marriage, maintaining long-term relationships with two women simultaneously. His unconventional lifestyle and his progressive attitudes toward women's rights and social reform often found expression in his literary works, cementing his legacy as both an innovative author and a voice for social change in Victorian England.