Turn of the Screw: Governess

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses "The Turn of the Screw", a gothic masterpiece by Henry James. The writer explains that this book narrates the story of a young governess who was employed by the uncle of two children, Miles and Flora. The writer notes that while the story is about ghosts and the horror they represent, it is the governess who plays the most vital role in highlighting and resolving the conflict that is eating at the children's souls. The writer maintains that the governess fights the ghosts not because she is scared but simply because she cares for the children whose souls appear to be possessed by the ghosts. Throughout the paper, the writer explores the part of the governess and looks at her character in the novel.

From the Paper:

"The story essentially begins when governess is appointed by the gentleman in Harvey Street to take care of his niece and nephew. Everything is going smoothly when the governess learns that Miles is being expelled from his school since he is seen as an injury to others. There is no further explanation given and governess is furious to later find out that Miles was an innocent young boy whom she thought incapable of committing any horrible injury to others."
"However things take an interesting and horrifying turn when governess sees the ghost of Peter Quint and learns about the affair between him and Miss Jessel. It was from there on that the actual gothic element surfaces as both children appear to have seen ghosts many times before. Not only are they not scared of the ghosts but also appear possessed by them since they often behave in bizarre fashion that governess cannot fathom. The governess then makes it her mission to save the children from these ghosts and their evil influence."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Henry James, The Turn of the Screw, in Complete Stories: 1892-1898 (New York: Library of America, 1996) 737; section XXIV of the story. Since so many editions of the novella are in use, subsequent references will include the section number as well as the page reference to this standard edition. The first, unnumbered section will be referred to as the Prologue.
• Gorley Putt, Henry James: A Reader's Guide (Cornell: Cornell UP,1966) 398-99.
• Henry James, Literary Criticism: French Writers; Other European Writers; The Prefaces to the New York Edition (New York: Library of America, 1984) 1184-85.

More papers on Turn of the Screw: Governess:

• Analytical Essay # 61966 : "The Turn of the Screw"
• Analytical Essay # 66277 : "The Ghosts of the "Turn of the Screw"
• Analytical Essay # 134388 : "Death and Silence in "The Turn of the Screw"

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