“…she was fond of white in her lifetime; and here is white stone about her grave- and I am making it whiter for her sake. She often wore white herself and always dressed her daughter in white. Is Miss Fairlie well and happy? Does she wear white now, as she used to when she was a girl?” (Collins 102).
In this conversation between Anne and Walter at the graveyard, the repetition of white works in conjunction with the flow of the passage emphasizes the emotional weight of the basis for Anne’s focus on warning Laura of the betrothal’s reality. First, repetition of “white” along with the color being connected to markers of Mrs. Fairlie’s life and death (the color of her grave) shows the emotional significance that color had for her. It was a constant throughout much of her life to the end of it, showing the depth of her fondness for it. By dressing both Anne and Laura in the color, she marks her deep affection for the girls. It connects something she loves to the people she loves. This establishes why Anne cares so much about warning Laura of the true nature of her betrothed. Mrs. Fairlie’s monumental impact on Anne’s life leads her to protecting her daughter as repayment for the love and understanding that she showed Anne. Furthermore, the use of assertive sentences adds to this sense of strong will and attachment to her ambition as the flow of them gives the feeling of leaving no space for pushing against her in this.
The flow of sentences and repetition of white in the passage is broken by Anne asking if Laura is “well and happy” (Collins 102). The phrasing of the question gives a sense of child-like hope and care through the use of simplistic adjectives and phrasing. The question is short and only asks about Laura’s sense of “happiness” which is often a concern of and similar to questions that children ask. Of course, adults can have similar inquiries but their phrasing of them is complicated by the focus on status and the constant awareness of the harsh nature of reality that comes with adulthood.
Anne also further emphasizes the connection between happiness and white in her mind with the second question. After asking about Laura’s wellbeing, she asks if she continues wearing white in the present, a color that represents the innocence and joy of childhood. The back-to-back questions along with the continued mention of white brings a sense of slight frantic energy from Anne as it shows the significance of white as the emotional basis for her actions and questions.
The flow of the passage’s phrasing and structure along with the recurrence of white’s significance provides greater understanding of the history and values of that direct Anne and her great focus on preventing Laura’s marriage. With this, the emotional basis and dramatic tone of the novel is heightened.
This analysis of the emotional and historical significance of white to Anne is really interesting! The connection between white and childhood innocence made me think about the traditional symbolism of sexual purity in white. Anne seems to feel shameful about wearing colors other than white, insisting that Laura does not look at her non-white bonnet and shawl. This shame reminds me of sexual shame, and suggests that not only is Anne clinging onto her childhood and Mrs. Fairlie, but she is also clinging onto her purity or ideas of purity. This connection could be interesting to think about when discussing her mental state — as sexually pure women are considered “good” and “proper,” Anne’s attachment to purity may parallel other attachments to her previous life (when she was considered a sane woman).
I really enjoyed reading your analysis of this particular passage. As Anne is a character we largely see characterized through the lens of others, it is fascinating to hear her own perspective on the circumstances that have driven her to such a state. You mention the association of whiteness with innocence, and I wonder how Anne’s constant desire to live within the joy and care she experienced as a child bears on her larger arc as a character. Though we are oftentimes brought to sympathize with Anne, her mental state is a facet of her characterization I am eager to learn more of. ٩(^ᗜ^ )و ♪
I really enjoyed reading your analysis of this particular passage. As Anne is a character we largely see characterized through the lens of others, it is fascinating to hear her own perspective on the circumstances that have driven her to such a state. You mention the association of whiteness with innocence, and I wonder how Anne’s constant desire to live within the joy and care she experienced as a child bears on her larger arc as a character. Though we are oftentimes brought to sympathize with Anne, her mental state is a facet of her characterization I am eager to learn more of.