The Woman in White · Chapter
IV explained
Walter Hartright encounters a mysterious woman dressed in white on the road to London late at night.
What happens
Walter Hartright encounters a mysterious woman dressed in white on the road to London late at night. She is frightened, suspicious, and asks for his promise not to interfere with her. He agrees to help her find a cab, and during their walk, she mentions Limmeridge House in Cumberland, startling Walter. She refuses to explain her situation, claiming she has been cruelly wronged, and insists on being driven away in a cab.
Themes in this chapter
Secrecy and Conspiracy
Anne's refusal to reveal the baronet's name and her cryptic references to being 'cruelly used' establish an atmosphere of hidden danger and conspiracy.
Deception and Trust
Walter must decide whether to trust a stranger; Anne's repeated requests for a promise highlight the tension between trust and suspicion.
Characters to notice
- Walter Hartright
Narrator and protagonist; meets the Woman in White on the road and agrees to help her.
- Anne Catherick
The mysterious woman dressed in white; frightened, suspicious, and seeking help to reach London.
Key passages
“I have been cruelly used and cruelly wronged.”
I have been treated badly and unjustly.
Anne reveals her sense of victimization without providing details.
“Will you promise?”
Do you give me your word?
Anne's repeated request for a promise underscores her need for control and security.