The First Epoch: The Story begun by Walter Hartright, of Clement's Inn, Teacher of Drawing, Parts I-V Summary

The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins, published in 1860, is a Victorian sensationalist fiction novel. Collins might be considered the father of the modern mystery thriller and detective novel genres. Collins, like his friend Charles Dickens, uses the novel to expose social injustices of his time, in particular, the lack of legal rights afforded married women. Collins presents this story as if holding a trial in which characters present their perspective on the events through narrative, diary excerpts and eye-witness accounts. The story begins as if being told in a Court of Justice to introduce the structure of the storytelling. Characters will take turns telling their part of the story, beginning...