The Turn Of The Screw - 1265 Words

Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw has been described as one of the best ghost stories of all time. However, there is clear evidence that the main character, the governess, suffers from delusions. The strange events that occur throughout the story happen in the estate of Bly. The anomalies, described as horrors or ghosts, only come to light after the governess arrives. These events are due to creations of the governess mind, her controlling intent to protect and overrule the children, and her unstable mental state. In this way, her thoughts and her actions are the cause of the strange events at Bly. Douglas, the narrator, presents the book in the introduction involving two children to be another turn of the screw. This concept paints a†¦show more content†¦Every time the governess is conflicted, her mind turns and is unstable. Even before Miles arrives at Bly, the governess questions his demeanor and is paranoid about his reason for dismissal from school. She assumes that he has done something evil and that he s an injury to others. (page 10). Mrs. Grose tries to persuade her that he wouldn t be that way. However, she is yet unsure of Miles character and further discusses him with Mrs. Grose. The governess is still concerned about Miles wrongful ways, but when questioned if she s afraid of him, she gave way for the time to the apprehension of ridicule. (page 12). It is her paranoia that opens the door for negative thoughts and images to enter her mind. The governess becomes overwhelmed with taking charge of all the affairs of Bly. Her anxiety increases when Miles returns home after being expelled from school. The governess is left to make significant decisions without any assistance from her employer which begins her path of feeling disturbed. Her job involves being a parent to the children and this task tests her mental capacity. She feels unfit and awkward about being in charge, by announcing that â€Å"I was, strangely, at the helm!† (page 9). Being new to the job, she faces several tasks that make her feel anxious. The governess has no experience in making decisions of this scale. The governess is a proud, protective, boastful woman who wants to prove she can be in charge of Bly. AfterShow MoreRelatedThe Turn Of The Screw1443 Words   |  6 PagesHenry James’ The Turn of the Screw is an ambivalent novella, well-known for it’s disputable contents. The central character, known simply as the governess, is one that can be considered an unreliable narrator. She has experienced many interesting yet unusual encounters that can lead to a variety of interpretations regarding what’s actually taking place in the story. With all factors taken into account, it’s most plausible to assume that the governess is a victim of what appears to be a mental disorderRead MoreThe Turn of the Screw1300 Words   |  6 Pages Henry James novel The Turn of the Screw is twofold. In the first chapter, the story begins at a Christmas party where guests hear the governess tale of fright and fight. This story is referred to as â€Å"two turns† of the screw by an anonymous guest at the Christmas party because the reader asks if they want to hear a story about two children instead of only one (3). In the governess account, it tells about her duty as caretaker of two wealthy children, Flora and Miles, who live at Bly, a large estateRead MoreThe Turn Of The Screw2222 Words   |  9 PagesHenry James’s The Turn of the Screw has led to a great deal of discussion and analysis from scholars and students for over fifty years. 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What happens remains irrevocably uncertain’ James uses the prologue to the novel to introduce the themes with in this Novella but more importantly he encourages the readers to be active in reading between the lines , and not to accept what is said at face value , James achieves this by surrounding Douglass with a group of people who are clearly and intentlyRead MoreThe Governess in The Turn of the Screw Essay1110 Words   |  5 PagesOne of the most critically discussed works in twentieth-century American literature, The Turn of the Screw has inspired a variety of critical interpretations since its publication in 1898. Until 1934, the book was considered a traditional ghost story. Edmund Wilson, however, soon challenged that view with his assertions that The Turn of the Screw is a psychological study of the unstable governess whose visions of ghosts are merely delusions. Wilson’s essay initiated a critical debate concerning theRead MoreTurn of the Screw, Historicism Approach1330 Words   |  6 Pageswork, and how do t hese influences complicate the meaning of the work as a whole ? - Regarding The Turn of The Screw. The Victorian era consisted of moralistic, prudish ideals, a sexist point of view and therefore enforced etiquette and good manners as a way of life. Henry James demonstrates a lack of propriety for this time period’s strict code of conduct, with his written work, ‘The turn of the screw’. By doing so, and somewhat rebelling against the sexually restraining, low crime tolerance era that