The Theme of Marriage and Its Implications in The Woman in White: How Collins Examines the Power Dynamics of Victorian Marriages

In The Woman in White, Wilkie Collins uses the institution of marriage as a key theme to explore power dynamics, social expectations, and personal autonomy in Victorian society. The novel examines how marriage, particularly for women, was a tool for both social mobility and control, often stripping individuals of their agency and autonomy. Through the complex relationships between characters like Laura Fairlie, Sir Percival Glyde, and Walter Hartright, Collins critiques the rigid social structure that governed marriage and the ways in which it was often manipulated for personal gain.

Laura Fairlie’s marriage to Sir Percival Glyde is a stark example of the Victorian marriage system’s limitations. Laura, a young woman of wealth and beauty, is coerced into an engagement to Sir Percival, a man of questionable morals, for the sake of family duty and financial security. Her marriage becomes a prison, symbolizing the lack of agency women had during this period, where societal expectations often forced women into partnerships for convenience rather than love. Sir Percival’s manipulation of Laura’s inheritance and his subsequent attempts to confine her further highlight how marriage could be used as a mechanism of control and exploitation.

In contrast, Walter Hartright’s love for Laura is based on mutual respect and emotional connection, which underscores the novel’s critique of arranged and transactional marriages. While Walter’s pursuit of Laura is complicated by social class and her engagement to Sir Percival, their relationship represents an idealized form of marriage based on equality, trust, and personal choice. Collins uses this contrast to challenge the Victorian view of marriage as a social contract, advocating for relationships built on genuine affection and partnership rather than convenience and social duty.

In conclusion, The Woman in White offers a critique of the Victorian marriage system, particularly the way it constrained women and allowed men to manipulate their spouses for personal gain. Through characters like Laura Fairlie and Sir Percival Glyde, Collins explores the consequences of a system that sacrifices individual autonomy and happiness in favor of social and financial stability. The novel advocates for a vision of marriage based on love, respect, and personal choice.