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The First Epoch: Part 1, Chapter 14
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
When they arrive back at Limmeridge, Marian and Walter find that Mr. Gilmore has just arrived to help finalize the paperwork for Laura’s wedding to Sir Percival Glyde. Marian greets him, and Walter finds himself extremely curious about the old lawyer. Mr. Gilmore does not have many of the qualities that Walter expects to find in a lawyer and, instead, seems to be a cheerful, healthy, and good-humored person. He leaves Marian and Mr. Gilmore to talk and once more takes in the grounds of Limmeridge House, where he has many fond memories of his time spent with Laura.
Mr. Gilmore does not fit the stereotypical image of a lawyer as a greedy, self-interested, and miserly individual, which was commonly portrayed in the nineteenth century and which Walter expects. Like so many of the characters in the novel, Mr. Gilmore defies the conventions associated with people in his line of work. Wilkie Collins studied to become a lawyer and used his knowledge of the law and legal cases in his fiction.
Themes
On his way back along the veranda, Walter bumps into Mr. Gilmore, who has apparently been looking for him. Marian has told Mr. Gilmore about the letter sent to Laura, warning her about Sir Percival Glyde, and has heard about Walter’s involvement in tracking down Anne Catherick. Mr. Gilmore thoughtfully recognizes that Walter has Laura’s best interests in mind and might wish to know how Mr. Gilmore plans to precede with her case.
Mr. Gilmore is very thoughtful to approach Walter in this way. Although he does not suspect a love affair between Walter and Laura, he can see that Walter has gone out of his way to gather information about Laura’s future husband for the sake of assuring that Laura will not be mistreated. Mr. Gilmore thus wishes to assure Walter that he too has Laura’s best interests in mind.
Themes
Mr. Gilmore tells Walter that he has sent a copy of the letter from Anne Catherick to Sir Percival Glyde’s solicitor in London and has kept the original of the letter to show Sir Percival when he arrives at Limmeridge in a few days. Meanwhile, Mr. Gilmore has also sent a servant to look for Anne Catherick and Mrs. Clements and to follow and observe them. Mr. Gilmore is confident that Sir Percival will be able to offer a satisfactory explanation for the letter and for Anne Catherick’s accusations. Walter, however, is not so convinced. He is, however, resigned to the fact that there is little more he can do for Laura as he must leave Limmeridge soon.
Mr. Gilmore approaches the subject of Anne’s letter as a legal matter. He provides Sir Percival’s lawyer with the evidence (the letter) which accuses Sir Percival and feels confident that there will be an acceptable explanation provided that will show that Sir Percival acted within the confines of the law. Walter, however, does not feel that Sir Percival’s solicitor will necessarily show them the truth, as Sir Percival’s lawyer can obviously be paid by Sir Percival to make him look blameless in the situation.
Themes
Walter decides to leave immediately after this conversation with Mr. Gilmore, but Marian convinces him to “depart like a friend” and have one last dinner with them, which Walter agrees to do. It is difficult for him to remain composed in Laura’s presence, but Mr. Gilmore’s cheerful conversation sees them through the meal.
Mr. Gilmore seems quite oblivious of the situation between Walter and Laura and continues to talk cheerfully throughout dinner despite the strained atmosphere. Mr. Gilmore doesn’t seem to observe the people around him very closely outside of his professional role, and doesn’t look below the surface appearance of things.
Themes
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After dinner, the servant that Mr. Gilmore has dispatched returns and tells them that he followed Mrs. Clements and Anne Catherick as far as Carlisle but could trace them no further. Mr. Gilmore, Walter, Marian, and Laura retire to the drawing room and Walter and Laura spend a final, painful evening in each other’s company before they will be parted forever. Before Walter goes upstairs, he promises Laura that she has a faithful friend in him and wishes her well for the future. Laura pleads with him to leave her, and this reveals to Walter her desperate love for him. Walter departs from Limmeridge the next morning and concludes the first section of his narrative.
Mr. Gilmore does not appear concerned about losing track of Anne Catherick and seems not to think much more about it. He does not think her allegations against Sir Percival will reveal anything important. Laura can barely stand to be in Walter’s presence, apparently, because her love for him is so overwhelming. She begs him to leave because she is afraid that she will act on her feelings, which will break the conventions of propriety.
Themes
