The Woman in Black: Character Quotations (Edexcel GCSE English Literature)

The Woman in Black: Key Character Quotation and Analysis

The Woman in Black essay question on the Eduqas Component 2 English Literature paper may ask you to explore one of the following:

• A theme

• A character

• The relationship between characters

Examiners want you to be able to demonstrate your knowledge of the events and characters in the novella. You must select meaningfully from the text in order to support your response so it is a good idea to learn quotations according to theme or character. Let’s look at some Woman in Black quotations, which are organised by the following characters:

• Arthur Kipps

• Samuel Daily

• Mr Jerome

• The Woman in Black/Jennet Humfrye

Arthur Kipps quotes

“I had walked about in a frenzy of agitation, ... I must make an effort to calm myself…” – Arthur Kipps, Chapter 1: “Christmas Eve”

Key word or phrase: “frenzy of agitation”

What the quotation means

• The protagonist, Arthur Kipps, is attempting to calm himself down after remembering a traumatising incident that happened to him in the past

Analysis

• At the beginning of the novel, it is evident that the protagonist has attempted to suppress a horrifying memory

• This line highlights Arthur’s emotional turmoil as he is in a “frenzy of agitation”, suggesting that he is experiencing strong emotions:

  • The use of the word “frenzy” suggests that he is highly distressed

• This line also shows the character’s self-awareness as he realises that he must try to “calm” himself down, highlighting his mental strength

• The juxtaposition of the words “frenzy” and “calm” suggests the inner turmoil that Arthur is experiencing as the memory of his past attempts to overwhelm him

“… I was scarcely taking Mr Bentley seriously.” – Arthur Kipps, Chapter 2: “A London Particular”

Key words or phrase: “scarcely” and “seriously”

What the quotation means

• Arthur reflects on the task he has been given by Mr Bentley

Analysis

• By not taking Mr Bentley “seriously”, it is evident that Arthur is only interested in facts and believes only in the rational:

  • Ironically, it could be argued that Arthur himself is a stereotypical character from a Gothic horror novel

• Arthur’s scepticism serves as a warning and foreshadows the events that will take place later on in the novel 

“I did not like her look and I liked the…the power that seemed to emanate from her towards me even less” – Arthur Kipps, Chapter 8: “Spider”

Key word or phrase: “did not like” and “power”

What the quotation means

• Arthur describes how he felt when he saw the Woman in Black to Mr Daily

Analysis

• It is clear that Arthur is now uncomfortable and afraid of the ghost:

  • The phrase “did not like” suggests that he feels a sense of discomfort towards her and how, on some level, he knows she is a supernatural being

  • The use of ellipses could also highlight his reluctance to admit that the Woman in Black is powerful and intimidating

• The use of the word “power” emphasises how the Woman in Black exudes a sense of authority and malevolence, which intimidates him

• Despite his sense of shock and fear, Arthur is still determined to return to Eel Marsh House and attempts to be rational:

  • It could be suggested that he does not want to truly admit how horrifying his supernatural experiences have been

“I was paralysed ... and all the world went dark around me” – Arthur Kipps, Chapter 12: “The Woman in Black”

Key word or phrase: “paralysed” and “dark”

What the quotation means

• Arthur Kipps describes his reaction to seeing the Woman in Black over a year after the incident at Eel Marsh House

Analysis

• Arthur Kipps is with his wife and infant child at a fair:

  • His wife, Stella, and his child are both riding a “pony and a trap”

• While they are on their ride, Arthur Kipps notices the Woman in Black and is “paralysed” with intense fear:

  • This is a stark contrast to his scepticism at the start of the novel with regards to the supernatural

• The description of the world going “dark around” him emphasises how isolated and alone Kipps is in the presence of the Woman in Black

• It is clear now that Arthur Kipps not only believes in the Woman in Black, but fears her and the curse that follows her:

  • It is this final sighting of the ghost that results in both his child and wife dying from injuries sustained on the pony and trap 

Samuel Daily quotes

“He seemed keen to reassure me and to make up for his teasing exaggeration” – Arthur Kipps, Chapter 3: “The Journey North”

Key word or phrase: “reassure” 

What the quotation means

• Arthur Kipps has met Samuel Daily on his journey north

Analysis

• Arthur describes his meeting with Samuel Daily and how Daily appears to be describing the village of Crythin as bleak and sombre

• However, he then explains that Mr Daily is “keen to reassure” him, suggesting that he is a kind and considerate character

• His kindness is then extended when he offers to drive Arthur to Gifford Arms:

  • Therefore our first introduction to Samuel Daily is positive and establishes him as a significant character in the novel

“But he could surely not be disliked” – Arthur Kipps, Chapter 8: “Spider”

Key word or phrase: “disliked”

What the quotation means

• Arthur Kipps is describing Samuel Daily’s personality and fortune

Analysis

• Arthur has warmed to Samuel Daily, who has invited him for dinner:

  • It is evident that Arthur does not envy Mr Daily, but admires him

• Mr Daily is a self-made man as Arthur comments on his wealth and the acres of land that he owns and how, despite this, his personality makes him likeable rather than envied 

“‘I had you on my mind,’ he said at last. ‘I wasn’t happy. It began to unsettle me.’” – Samuel Daily, Chapter 11: “A Packet of Letters”

Key word or phrase: “wasn’t happy” and “unsettle me”

What the quotation means

• Samuel Daily explains why he travelled to Eel Marsh House to find Arthur Kipps

Analysis

• Mr Daily travels to Eel Marsh House very early in the morning as his thoughts began to “unsettle” him:

  • It is clear that Samuel Daily believes that Eel Marsh House is not safe and that, despite Arthur’s bravery and determination, he could be in trouble

  • By rescuing Arthur Kipps, it is evident that Samuel Daily has a caring and considerate nature

• This also emphasises Mr Daily’s generosity and bravery as he is willing to risk his own well being and comfort in order to save Arthur Kipps

“Stella gave birth to our child ... and Mr Samuel Daily was his godfather” – Arthur Kipps, Chapter 12: “The Woman in Black”

Key word or phrase: “godfather”

What the quotation means

• Arthur Kipps’ wife gives birth to their son and his godfather is Samuel Daily

Analysis

• By making Samuel Daily the godfather to his son, Arthur Kipps is showing his appreciation and love for Mr Daily:

  • It could also emphasise his gratitude towards Samuel Daily for protecting him during his time at Eel Marsh House

• A “godfather” could also imply that Arthur Kipps wishes for the same protection for his son that only Samuel Daily can provide:

  • It emphasises how much Arthur Kipps came to rely on Samuel Daily and how important his role was in ensuring Arthur’s safety

Mr Jerome quotes

“... a somewhat shuttered expression that revealed nothing whatsoever of his own personality” – Arthur Kipps, Chapter 4: “The Funeral of Mrs Drablow”

Key word or phrase: “shuttered expression” and “revealed nothing”

What the quotation means

• Arthur Kipps notes how reserved and introverted Mr Jerome is

Analysis

• The character of Mr Jerome is not overly talkative and often does not respond verbally to questions and chooses to be vague in his answers

• Mr Jerome’s reservedness could reflect his fears surrounding Eel Marsh House and its inhabitant, Mrs Drablow, which Arthur finds curious and somewhat irritating

• The use of the word “shuttered” could suggest that Mr Jerome’s reservedness is deliberate and an attempt to limit questions and conversation

• His reservation and businesslike manner is in stark contrast to the intense emotions he feels when the Woman in Black is mentioned

“... beside me was a man in a state of near-collapse” – Arthur Kipps, Chapter 4: “The Funeral of Mrs Drablow”

Key word or phrase: “near-collapse”

What the quotation means

• Arthur sees the Woman in Black for the first time and notices Mr Jerome’s behaviour

Analysis

• Arthur is not afraid of seeing the Woman in Black while, evidently, Mr Jerome’s reaction is more extreme as he is “near-collapse”:

  • His reaction indicates that he not only knows about the Woman in Black, but that he recognises the evil that follows her

• The use of the phrase “near-collapse” suggests that Mr Jerome’s fear is so intense that it has physically affected him:

  • This intense emotion contrasts his earlier reserved and professional attitude

“Mr Jerome’s expression was one of panic” – Arthur Kipps, Chapter 7: “Mr Jerome is afraid”

Key word or phrase: “panic”

What the quotation means

• Mr Jerome is stressed when having a conversation about Alice Drablow with Arthur Kipps

Analysis

• Arthur Kipps states that the work he is required to do is too much and asks for help, which results in Mr Jerome panicking:

  • His immediate and visible panic causes the reader to question why his reactions are so extreme in comparison to other people in the village

• The title of the Chapter is “Mr Jerome is afraid”, which further emphasises the fear and panic Mr Jerome experiences at the mention of Eel Marsh House or the Woman in Black

“I pray that you do not” – Mr Jerome, Chapter 7: “Mr Jerome is afraid”

Key word or phrase: “pray”

What the quotation means

• Mr Jerome hopes that Arthur Kipps does not encounter the Woman in Black again at Eel Marsh House

Analysis

• Mr Jerome’s words reflect his fear over the Woman in Black

• The use of the word “pray” has religious connotations and underscores Mr Jerome’s desperate hope that Arthur Kipps does not meet any other supernatural being

• It creates a sense of tension and foreboding as Arthur Kipps leaves to return to Eel Marsh House

The Woman in Black/Jennet Humfrye quotes

“... a desperate, yearning malevolence” – Arthur Kipps, Chapter 5: “Across the Causeway”

Key word or phrase: “malevolence”

What this quotation means

• Arthur Kipps describes the Woman in Black as he sees her on the grounds of Eel Marsh House

Analysis

• Arthur Kipps is able to see the Woman in Black’s face closely and he notices a “malevolence” about her facial expression, suggesting that she is filled with an intense hatred

• The use of the word “desperate” and “yearning” suggests that she is longing for something that may have been taken away from her

“I shall kill us both before I let him go” – Jennet Humfrye, Chapter 9: “In the Nursery”

Key word or phrase: “kill us”

What this quotation means

• Jennet Humfrye vehemently refuses to be parted with her son 

Analysis

• In a series of letters, Arthur Kipps realises that Jennet Humfrye was being pressured to give up her son, who was born out of wedlock

• Jennet declares that she will “kill” both herself and her son before she gives him up:

  • This could highlight how emotionally unstable she was but also how intense her love was for her child

• This also reflects the pressures that women who had children out of wedlock were faced with and how they were unsupported

“But he is mine, mine, he can never be yours” – Jennet Humfrye, Chapter 9: “In the Nursery”

Key word or phrase: “mine”

What this quotation means

• Jennet Humfrye is writing to her sister, Alice Drablow, who has adopted her son

Analysis

• This quote highlights Jennet’s intense love and longing for her son while also emphasising her heartache over having to put him up for adoption

• The repetition of the word “mine” highlights her possessive nature and how she can never truly let her son go

• The emphasis on the word “never” further underscores this but also has threatening and menacing undertones:

  • This helps to draw parallels between Jennet Humfrye and the Woman in Black as we see glimpses of the rage and desperation that turn her into the evil spirit

“Mad with grief and mad with anger and a desire for revenge” – Samuel Daily, Chapter 11: “A Packet of Letters”

Key word or phrase: “mad”, “revenge”

What this quotation means

• Samuel Daily describes Jennet Humfrye’s grief over the loss of her son

Analysis

• Jennet Humfrye blames her sister for the death of her son and is driven mad by her intense feelings of “anger” and “grief”:

  • Her anger highlights the intensity of her love for her child but it is so powerful that it does not allow her to rest after her death

  • It is evident that the death of her son turns her into the Woman in Black

• Jennet’s “desire for revenge” causes her to haunt Eel Marsh House and its surroundings to satisfy her craving for revenge by taking the souls of children

Sources:

Hill, S. (2011). The Woman in Black. Vintage Books.