The striking similarities between the appearances of Anne Catherick and Laura Fairlie are often remarked upon in The Woman in White, most prominently in a letter from Laura’s mother. This uncanny resemblance seems at first merely an odd twist of fate, but certain remarks throughout the First Epoch of the novel begin to perhaps reveal a new picture. During Mr Gilmore’s description of Laura on page 128, he remarks that “[Miss Fairlie] takes after her father. Mrs Fairlie had dark eyes and hair…” In itself, this seems an offhand comment, but reveals that Laura’s appearance is more similar to the late Mr Fairlie’s, a character whose history has not yet been explored to any major degree. Later on, Mr Gilmore describes the circumstances of Laura’s inheritance and tracks the specific path that has led Laura to be the heir to the Limmeridge estate (148). Such time is spent on meticulously plotting the potential lines of inheritance and discussing the ways in which Laura could either lose or ultimately end up owning the property that the very presence of such a passage seems to foreshadow its coming importance. Is it possible that some later revelation could upset this system of birthright and legal claim to Limmeridge House?
When Percival Glyde is asked about the matter of Anne Catherick, he mentions his connections to her mother, who “had been doubly unfortunate in being married to a husband who had deserted her, and in having an only child whose mental faculties had been in a disturbed condition from a very early age” (131). What is significant here is the mention of Anne’s father, who has been conspicuously absent from any other description of her family until this point. Although not much information is given beyond the fact that he is a man who deserted his wife and young child, it is enough to perhaps piece together a theory about the connection between the two near-identical girls who are integral parts of the story.
Could it perhaps be proposed that the desertee father of Anne Catherick was none other than Philip Fairlie himself? It has already been stated by Mrs Fairlie that Anne was “about a year older than our darling Laura” (59), which would allow time for Philip to have broken off his relationship with Jane Anne Catherick, married Laura’s mother, and have Laura be born. If this is the case, the issue of the inheritance becomes even more complicated. Anne would take the role of heir to the estate, being the elder of the two daughters, and making Laura’s marriage settlement almost pointless. It follows that, if, perhaps, a certain Percival Glyde was aware of the parentage of Anne Catherick, but also aware of the fact that Laura was considered the heir to the estate, and was in need of money in order to pay off debts, Glyde would do anything in his power to guarantee his acquisition of the Limmeridge estate. If Anne Catherick was truly the heir to the estate, and Glyde knew about this, it would explain why he was so eager to shut her away in an Asylum, and to recapture her before anybody (specifically Mr Hartright) discovered her parentage. It would also explain why he then pursued Laura–in an engagement arranged specifically by Philip Fairlie (73)! Did Glyde threaten to expose Anne’s true parentage if Mr Fairlie did not give him Laura’s hand? As of yet, it is near impossible to say. However, the textual evidence seems perhaps to point to Anne and Laura’s resemblance being not mere coincidence, but a sign of a shared parent and much intrigue.
This is an incredibly plausible theory, especially when we consider how Laura feels about Anne. When Mr. Gilmore is talking with her and Marian about the estate and how it will be divided, Laura mentions that there is someone else she would like to leave part of the fortune to. When Gilmore asks if it is another relation she immediately shies away, saying that she has forgotten herself. (144) If we are to assume that the person she wished to leave money to is indeed Anne, then we can assume that she is a relative, most likely her elder sister.
Laura’s interest in giving Anne part of the inheritance could come from just a sense of loyalty and familial ties, but I believe that guilt plays a larger part in it. If Anne is indeed the older sister than Laura could view her as being the rightful heir. Along with her forced stay in the asylum Laura could feel partially responsible for her situation, so her loyalty to Anne is only deterred by the presence of Sir Percival Glyde. Based on her withdrawal of the request to leave Anne money we can assume that if Glyde were to find out that Anne inherited money (especially when she is supposed to be in an asylum) that both sisters would be in even more danger than they already are.
This post and “Dangerous Woman: Anne Catherick and the Guarding of Sexual Purity” compliment each other really well. Both posts explore the possibility that Anne and Laura have joint parentage. I think that the point from the “Dangerous Woman” about Anne’s parentage and its connection to Mrs. Fairlie encouraging Anne to dress in all white adds a lot of depth to this post. I think that considering whether or not Mrs. Fairlie was privy to the information about Anne and Laura’s shared father is (if that is the case) very interesting. That could complicate the relationship between Mrs. Fairlie and Anne. I think it changes what the implications of Mrs. Fairlie telling Anne to wear white are if we are under the impression that Mrs. Fairlie knows Anne is a bastard to Mrs. Fairlie’s husband. It opens so many more doors to there relationship, to use an extreme example Mrs. Fairlie could have mentally abused Anne to get back at her husband and Anne is now suffering from Stockholm’s syndrome.
The theory that Anne and Laura are related does seem probable given their familial ties, the cloudiness that surrounds the identity of Anne’s father, and the similarities in their looks. It seems a little unclear whether Laura believes that they are related or not. Laura knowing about the relation between herself and Anne and being compliant with Anne being placed in an asylum and agreeing to marry Sir Percival Glyde would be quite the scandal and I think Glyde would have to have significant power over Laura in order for that to be the case. However, Glyde does seem to be a very suspicious and manipulative character. Based on what we know, the women may be in danger.
I like your connection to Mr. Fairlie arranging Laura’s engagement potentially to avoid the revelation of Anne’s parentage. That could be a significant contributing factor to the situation, as we know, Victorian men and women want to maintain their reputations.