The Woman in White Lies and Deceit Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Volume.Part.Chapter.Paragraph

Quote #1

At one moment, I found myself doubting the reality of my own adventure; at another, I was perplexed and distressed by an uneasy sense of having done wrong, which yet left me confusedly ignorant of how I could have done right. (1.1.4.77)

The style here, with the use of clauses and repetition, helps emphasize Walter's distressed mental state after his encounter with Anne Catherick. She does seem to have that effect on people.

Quote #2

The matter begins and ends with the boy's own perversity and folly. He saw, or thought he saw, a woman in white, yesterday evening. (1.1.12.38)

Little Jacob's "lie" (which isn't really a lie) introduces some thematic ideas of seeing and perception… and how shadowy the truth often is.

Quote #3

I saw it in her white face; I saw it in her trembling hands, I saw it in her look at Laura. After waiting an instant, she turned from me in silence, and slowly walked away. I closed the door again. "O Laura! Laura! We shall both rue the day when you called the count a Spy!" (2.1.7.72-4)

Turns out the master of deceit is a bit sensitive about being called out on it, which gives us a lot of insight into his and his wife's characters.