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The Third Epoch: Part 3, Chapter 2
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Woman in White, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Evidence and Law
Morality, Crime, and Punishment
Identity and Appearance
Marriage and Gender
Class, Industry, and Social Place
Summary
Analysis
Spring arrives and Walter notices that Marian and Laura seem happier and calmer as time passes. Laura still cannot remember anything from her time in the asylum and panics if it is mentioned, but she is growing stronger and more like her old self every day. Walter realizes that, the more she grows like her old self, the more awkward it becomes between them. He is still in love with Laura and he believes that she feels the same way. He decides to take them on holiday to the seaside for a couple of weeks and, while they are there, he asks Marian to speak with him privately.
Walter has put his feelings for Laura on hold while she recovers from her ordeal. Walter understands that Laura is vulnerable and does not wish to exploit his power over her—he is a direct contrast to Sir Percival in this way. The return of spring symbolizes the beginning of Laura’s new life through her recovery, and the new ability for her and Walter’s love to blossom after the darkness of the events that kept them apart.
Themes
Literary Devices
Walter explains to Marian that he knows Laura may never receive her inheritance or have her true name restored publicly. He feels that it would be too painful to drag her through a court case and force her to remember everything that has happened to her. He also feels that it would be extremely expensive and that they would not win; there is too much evidence against them. In spite of all this, he tells Marian, he wants to marry Laura, even if they must live in hiding and be poor forever.
Unlike Sir Percival, Walter is in love with Laura as an individual rather than because of her wealth or social position. He loves her even without all these things. The law is biased against poor people, as they do not have the money to hire lawyers and compete fairly with the wealthy in a court case. This suggests that rich people are able to get away with crimes, whereas poor people are almost always punished for them.
Themes
Marian is delighted, and Walter returns to the house to wait for Laura’s answer. While he sits in the drawing room, Laura bursts in, rushes over and embraces him; she will happily be his wife. He remembers how sad she seemed on the day that he left Limmeridge and is grateful for the change in their fortunes which has occurred. A few days later they get married.
Laura and Walter’s circumstances are the opposite of what they were at the beginning of the novel. The obstacles which kept them apart have been removed and their love has endured the trials put before them.
Themes
Literary Devices
