The Governess In The Turn Of The Screw By Henry James

Written in 1898 by Henry James, The Turn of the Screw has long been a topic of debate within the literary world in regards to psychology, feminism, Marxism, and psychoanalysis (“Turn of the Screw”). The gothic fiction novel tells a story of a governess who is hired to take care of two children in a town named Bly. During her stay, she dreams of her anonymous employer, believes to see ghosts of her predecessors, and sinks into an indistinguishable world of delirium and the undead, all while struggling to keep face in front of an eight and ten-year-old, who she also believes are corrupted. Ultimately, the novel sparks controversy over topics such as sexual repression, hysteria, ghosts, unconscious thought, sexual abuse, and more. But within the

In the prologue, Douglass describes the governess as “a most charming person” and “the most agreeable woman” (James 5). Douglass then finishes her description, stating that “she would have been worthy of any whatever” (James 5). Coming from an upper class gentleman in the Victorian era, this is a beyond impressive introduction for any individual, but especially for a woman. By this description, the audience is almost begged by the text to trust the soon-to-be narrator. But, just as quickly as the text positively describes the protagonist, her own words contradict what was written moments ago. In the first chapter of the novel, the governess tells Miss Grosse that she came to Bly, “‘to be carried away,’” and that she is, “‘rather easily carried away,’” which she, “[remembered] feeling the impulse to add” when speaking to her coworker. The governess views herself as someone who is easily swayed and can evidently have impulsive thoughts that she may act upon. While these two traits are harmless in the average person, the governess’s continuing traits create an iceberg of

Even her own disorganization depicts how she falters over her own words, as almost every personal opinion the governess has is interrupted - or perhaps challenged - by a dash, written by her own accord. One example is in chapter four, where the governess states that, “Both the children had a gentleness... that kept them- how shall I express it?- almost impersonal and certainly quite unpunishable” (James 33). This is not the only time in the novel in which the narrator pauses to make complete sure of herself. Since the beginning of the piece, the governess has to make sure what she writes is clear, concise, and credible. Whether or not she does this on purpose is unclear to the reader, but to say that the governess unconsciously mistrusts herself and her thoughts is prevalent as the novel’s chapters proceed. In another example from the previous chapter, the governess states that, “It was a pleasure at these moments to feel [herself] tranquil and justified; doubtless, perhaps, also to reflect that by [her] discretion, [her] quiet good sense and general high propriety, [she] was giving pleasure—if he ever thought of it!—to the person to whose pressure [she] had responded” (James 26). Even when the governess compliments herself and feels like a perfect example of a citizen, she