Some Brief Notes On The Lesser Characters

By Stephen Bray

Some of the characters in 'The Woman In White' simply serve to advance the plot, but their moods and motives are barely discernable, if credible? On this page you will find brief notes on these people.

Madam Fosco . . . . Laura's aunt, Frederick's sister

Countess Eleanor Fosco at thirty-seven is described as a 'always talking pretentious nonsense, and always worrying the men with every small exaction'. In short she appeared self-opinionated and was desperate to appear more knowledgeable than others.

These are the traits of someone with low-ego strength, who must bolster their self-image at every opportunity. She has the skeletal physique of what the German psychiatrist Kretchmer. (1888-1964 ) Asthenic and contains individuals with sinewy and lean body, tall and thin limbs, small head pale face and dry skin.

Asthenic individuals are usually schizoid, they take more care of the figures than colours, they are characterized by an analytic way of perception and finally they have the tension to insist on their own way of thinking and to become introverted. The disorders that are displayed more often in this type are mania and depression. When mentally disordered they usually present as schizophrenic.

It is therefore perhaps not surprising that once Eleanor Fairlie married the mesmeric Count Fosco, and acquired her own 'personal psychologist', that at the age forty-three she is described so differently. A dominant personality, such as the Counts, would readily overwhelm her ego-defences but also provide her with the protective male influence that was probably denied to her in childhood.

Mr and Mrs Rubelle  . . . . Fosco's servant accomplices

We know little of either Mr. or Mrs. Rubelle except that they formerly lived in Lyon. Hartright described Mr. Rubelle as a 'foreign spy', but upon what basis he makes the deduction is not set out. We know that the couple were setting up a boarding house for foreigners who it was anticipated would be in London to see the Great Exhibition. There's would be a good cover for spies and Osco could well be a excellent spy master, which would explain the Rubelle's loyalty to him.

If the couple really are spies, then they are talented professionals. Their immediate neighbours can only report well of them, even if the couple keep themselves to themselves. Mrs Rubelle was able to convince Mr Dawson of her ability to care for Marian Halcombe, despite his suspicions of her. Mrs Michelson also was unable to find fault with Mrs Rubelle's care of Marian Halcombe, until it became apparent that Miss Halcombe, and Mrs. Rubelle hadn't left Blackwater Park, as Lady Glyde had been led to believe.

Mr. Kyrle . . . . Gilmore's more energetic younger partner

Mr. Kyrle is in many ways a younger version of Mr. Gilmore. But unlike Gilmore he provides Hartright with sound legal opinion and is far less in awe of the ability of the law to resolve Laura Fairlie/Lady Glyde's problem.

He acts swiftly and diligently, answering every query made of him. Once 'proof' of Lady Glyde's identity is placed before him he acts.

Mr Kyrle epitomises the lawyer that every one of us might wish for. He is honest, gives of himself freely, doesn't exploit his clients, or take a fee where no result may be expected.

If he has a fault then it must be that once presented with Hartright's proof of Lady Glyde's identity he takes the law into his own hands, in effect becoming both judge and jury in the matter. He tells the tenants at Limmeridge that Laura Hartright is in fact Laura Fairlie, rather than Anne Catherick. In so doing he precludes the possibility of an objective inquiry into her identity.

Sometimes, however, expediency may be a better herald of justice than the mechanisms of law. Mr. Kyrle seems to think so?

Merriman . . . . Glyde's Lawyer

Mr. Merriman may appear as a corrupt lawyer. In fact he isn't. He is rather the lawyer to a corrupt man Sir Percival Glyde. Most probably Merriman has a number of similar clients?

Anyone familiar with the law and its agents now, as in Collins' day, will instantly recognise Merriman. He is to be found most frequently in the criminal courts making a good living defending crooks. It's a good living, and as Gilmore might have said: "If he doesn't do it, then someone else will."

Merriman's name is also fitting. Such men are frequently merry-men. They smile at the twists and turns on the lives of their clients. Always they see the best in them, and they offer good service.

Merriman isn't a bad man. He is simply has chosen a niche that will always be available, to those of a cheerful disposition, within a democratic judicial system. Without solicitors such as Merriman the law would be unable to operate, and would be open to considerably more corruption. Bad men must be represented in law, as well as the good, if the law is to be impartial.