# III explained — The Woman in White

> Chapter companion for The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins.

## What happens

Walter Hartright receives an offer to work as a drawing master at Limmeridge House in Cumberland, arranged by his friend Professor Pesca. Despite inexplicable reluctance, he accepts after persuasion from his mother, sister, and Pesca. He sends his references, is accepted, and prepares to leave London.

## Themes in this chapter

### Class and Social Hierarchy

Walter is to be treated on the footing of a gentleman at Limmeridge House, highlighting the social status of a drawing master in a wealthy household.

### Deception and Trust

Walter's inexplicable unwillingness to accept the position hints at underlying distrust or premonition about the events to come.

## Character check-ins

### Walter Hartright

Narrator and protagonist; receives job offer from Pesca, feels inexplicable reluctance but eventually accepts.

### Professor Pesca

Walter's eccentric Italian friend; arranges the drawing master position at Limmeridge House and enthusiastically persuades Walter to accept.

### Frederick Fairlie

Employer at Limmeridge House; mentioned as the gentleman seeking a drawing master for two young ladies.

### Laura Fairlie

One of the two young ladies Walter is to instruct in watercolour painting at Limmeridge House.

## Key lines

> I knew this; I knew that I ought to consider myself very fortunate if I succeeded in securing the offered employment—and yet, no sooner had I read the memorandum than I felt an inexplicable unwillingness within me to stir in the matter.

Walter recognizes the job is a great opportunity but feels a strange, unexplainable reluctance to pursue it.

_Highlights Walter's internal conflict and foreshadows future events._

> Marry one of the two young Misses; become Honourable Hartright, M.P. ; and when you are on the top of the ladder remember that Pesca, at the bottom, has done it all!

Pesca jokingly suggests Walter should marry one of the young ladies and rise in society, reminding him of his role in this opportunity.

_Pesca's lighthearted prophecy hints at romantic and social ambitions._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_woman_in_white_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters