The Woman in White Family Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Volume.Part.Chapter.Paragraph

Quote #4

As the faithful friend and servant of your family, I tell you, at parting, that no daughter of mine should be married to any man alive under such a settlement as you are forcing me to make for Miss Fairlie. (1.2.4.37)

Mr. Gilmore really pulls out the big guns here and reveals his own feelings for Laura, who is like a surrogate daughter to the kindly bachelor. Too bad he wasn't her actual guardian, or the whole Sir Percival debacle could have been avoided.

Quote #5

In stooping over her to kiss her, I saw the little book of Hartright's drawings half hidden under her pillow, just in the place where she used to hide her favourite toys when she was a child. (1.3.1.28)

The imagery here puts Marian in a maternal role and emphasizes her almost motherly relationship toward her younger sister Laura. Though they probably aren't very far apart in age, Laura's oft-described "childlike" nature and Marian's comparative maturity make their age difference seem much greater.

Quote #6

I ventured to tell you that my father's influence and advice had mainly decided me to give you my promise. I was guided by my father. (1.3.1.43)

Laura's and Marian's relationships with their parents differ in some interesting ways. Laura seems to worship her father, while Marian focuses much more on her mother's memory. Laura's reliance on her father seems a little odd, given that the man himself sounded like a bit of a punk (philandering around with Jane Catherick and acting all xenophobic to Eleanor Fairlie's husband, Fosco).