The Ghosts of the "Turn of the Screw"

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the themes of repressed sexuality in the novel "Turn of the Screw" by Henry James. The author analyzes James's slowly unfolding plot and his often criticized habit of withholding information from the reader. As the paper explains, the story, which is full of unnamed allusions to improper behavior, is actually an allegory for Victorian reluctance to openly discuss sexual matters, particularly female sexuality. The plot of the novel revolves around the ability of the main character -- a governess -- to allegedly see ghosts. This paper looks at each of the ghosts and discusses their symbolic significance. The paper concludes with the author's opinions about the governess and why she claimed to see the ghosts.

From the Paper:

"Many people think Henry James was homosexual. He lived in an era and society that was particularly unforgiving of deviation from the sexual norms. It was Oscar Wilde who called homosexuality "the love that dare not speak its name." Although, he had to be extremely circumspect about his sexuality, James was able to conduct a metaphorical discussion of homosexuality in Turn of the Screw. The "unmentionable" in his story inevitably carries sexual connotations, but homosexuality truly occupies the "sin" that cannot be named. Rather than supporting conventional Victorian attitudes about sexuality like most gothic fiction, Turn of the Screw actually critiques them."

More papers on The Ghosts of the "Turn of the Screw":

• Analytical Essay # 71698 : "Henry James' "Turn of the Screw" "
• Book Review # 94341 : "Turn of the Screw: Governess"
• Book Review # 103557 : "The Governess in "The Turn of the Screw"
• Book Review # 71277 : "Turn of the Screw"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: