Henry James’s title of his novel could not have been more allusive. He writes “The Turn of the Screw” at the turn of the century when people were both excited and nervous about what to expect of the new century. He gives the ghost-story another turn of the screw as the tale involves a second child. And even the author is at a turning point, because he decided, for the first time, to rent an old house, where he stays until his death. What happens if one turns the screw? Does it all get worse or does giving the screw two turns produce a status that restores its former orientation? Certainly a turn alters something. The governess in “The Turn of the Screw” wonders what happens if someone turns out to be, for instance, innocent and this thought is instantly followed by another: What then on earth is the governess? This tendency to relate everything to one’s personal situation is perfectly human, but problematic. Can one unconditionally trust one’s own perception? Even the governess doubts this. She and the ghosts will be analysed and carefully interpreted in order to understand James’s narrative and the problems of human doubts and awareness.
Table of Contents
1. The “Turn”
2. Henry James – The Turn of the Screw – The Governess and the Ghosts
2.1 I. Henry James and his motives for writing a ghost story
2.2 II. “The Turn of the Screw” – Summary
2.3 III. The governess
2.4 IV. The apparitions and the governess’s attitude towards them
2.5 V. “The Turn of the Screw” and the Gothic novel
2.6 VI. An appeal to readers of contemporary supernatural literature
Objectives and Thematic Focus
This seminar paper explores the complex psychological and narrative layers in Henry James's "The Turn of the Screw," focusing on the ambiguous role of the governess and the spectral manifestations at Bly. The research investigates whether the apparitions are objective realities or products of the governess's troubled mind, while examining the dynamics of power, protection, and corruption between the adult protagonist and her charges.
- Analysis of Henry James's motivations for writing a ghost story.
- Evaluation of the governess’s psychological development and reliability as a narrator.
- Examination of the supernatural elements and their interaction with the characters.
- Contextualization of the work within the Gothic novel tradition.
- Reflection on the enduring appeal of supernatural literature and the psychological nature of the genre.
Extract from the Book
The “Turn”
Henry James’s title of his novel could not have been more allusive. He writes “The Turn of the Screw” at the turn of the century when people were both excited and nervous about what to expect of the new century. He gives the ghost-story another turn of the screw as the tale involves a second child. And even the author is at a turning point, because he decided, for the first time, to rent an old house, where he stays until his death. What happens if one turns the screw? Does it all get worse or does giving the screw two turns produce a status that restores its former orientation? Certainly a turn alters something. The governess in “The Turn of the Screw” wonders what happens if someone turns out to be, for instance, innocent and this thought is instantly followed by another: What then on earth is the governess? This tendency to relate everything to one’s personal situation is perfectly human, but problematic. Can one unconditionally trust one’s own perception? Even the governess doubts this. She and the ghosts will be analysed and carefully interpreted in order to understand James’s narrative and the problems of human doubts and awareness.
Summary of Chapters
I. Henry James and his motives for writing a ghost story: This chapter provides biographical context, outlining James’s career and his creative motivations for crafting a ghost story in the late nineteenth century.
II. “The Turn of the Screw” – Summary: A concise overview of the plot is provided, detailing the story's setting at Bly and the central conflict regarding the governess and the two children.
III. The governess: This section analyzes the protagonist’s background, her social position in the Victorian era, and her complex, often ambiguous psychological state.
IV. The apparitions and the governess’s attitude towards them: The chapter explores the encounters with Peter Quint and Miss Jessel, focusing on how the governess perceives these events and uses them to justify her actions.
V. “The Turn of the Screw” and the Gothic novel: This part places the work within the Gothic literary tradition, identifying key motifs while highlighting how James subverts these tropes.
VI. An appeal to readers of contemporary supernatural literature: The concluding chapter reflects on the timeless nature of the story’s themes and encourages modern readers to engage with classic supernatural literature.
Keywords
Henry James, The Turn of the Screw, The Governess, Ghosts, Gothic novel, Ambiguity, Psychological narrative, Bly, Victorian age, Supernatural, Peter Quint, Miss Jessel, Literary criticism, Narrative reliability, Children.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this seminar paper?
The paper focuses on interpreting Henry James's "The Turn of the Screw" through the lens of the governess’s perspective and the nature of the ghostly apparitions at Bly.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The core themes include narrative ambiguity, the psychological state of the protagonist, the corrupting influence of the past, and the struggle for authority and possession over the children.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to analyze the governess's role as a potential anti-heroine and to explore whether the ghosts exist objectively or represent her inner psychological turmoil.
Which scientific methods are applied?
The author uses literary analysis, examining both the primary text and secondary criticism, including Freudian perspectives and historical contexts of the Gothic genre.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It covers James's inspiration, a plot summary, a deep character study of the governess, an interpretation of the apparitions, and a comparison with Gothic literary traditions.
Which keywords characterize this paper?
Key terms include ambiguity, supernatural, narrative reliability, Gothic tropes, and psychological development.
How does the author characterize the governess's reliability?
The author suggests the governess is an inscrutable character whose reliability is left for the reader to judge, noting that her logic often becomes incomprehensible throughout the narrative.
What conclusion does the author reach regarding the children?
The paper concludes that the children are neither purely angelic nor purely demonic, but are instead "exposed" victims caught between the desires of the living and the dead.
- Quote paper
- Franziska Gotthard (Author), 2010, Henry James and "The Turn of the Screw": The Governess and the Ghosts, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/265181
