Repression In The Turn Of The Screw

During the late-Victorian era, 19th-century England was largely characterized by a powerful government, a class-conscious society, and sexual-double standards. Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw is a haunting and suspenseful story that continues to captivate readers and critics alike. At first glance, the novel tells the story of a governess who is tormented by ghosts while caring for two young children, and she becomes increasingly paranoid and disturbed as a result. However, a closer analysis reveals a more complex narrative, one that delves into the themes of sexual repression, societal pressures placed on women, and the misogyny that was rife in that era. The governess takes on the job hoping to prove her worth as a governess and to escape

At first the governess was hardly terrified of the apparition, but once her psyche got a hold of what she was thinking about it turned into fear. She later describes Quint’s ghost with disgust instead of her initial attractiveness. This change in description was motivated by how sexual thoughts and immortality were viewed at the time. Because she views her sexual thoughts to be wrong, she associates them with fear causing her to see the ghost. The governess tends to only see the ghost of Quint late in the evening or very early morning, because these hours are typically when people would have sexual interactions. These actions and more allow the governess to fit the profile of a woman experiencing sexual hysteria of the time (Renner 180), further proving that her sexual repression is a factor to the governess seeing ghosts. The need for male approval also adds to her

Miles understands that the governess thinks of him as innocent and pure, so he plots with his sister to achieve their goal of ridding Bly of the governess. Mrs. Grose also aids the children in their scheme by believing the crazy things the governess is telling her, leading the governess to trust her. The governess is unable to deal with Miles being expelled from school because he presents himself as angelic. Because of this, “The governess betrays a notable lack of insight into the psychology of adolescent males when she tells herself further that Miles is "too fine and fair for the little horrid, unclean school-world" with its "stupid, sordid headmasters" and "vin- dictive" majority of common boys (182). The governess here reveals both the maternal protectiveness and sexual self- consciousness which will distinguish her throughout the tale” (Bontly 725). The governess’ true abilities are shown through the way she interacts with Miles. At the end of the novel, the governess believes that Miles is overtaken by an evil, and must fix him. The governess then suffocates Miles with a pillow. She describes this event as if she were casting out a demon. When Mile’s heart stops, the evil influences of Quint and Jessel are banished and he is saved. The governess’ instability, that was heavily influenced by the children, is what