The Turn Of The Screw Mental Illness Essay

Henry James’ horror novella The Turn of the Screw is a tale about the haunting of Bly Manor, the ghosts of Peter Quint and Miss Jessel remaining behind to stalk the manor after their untimely deaths. At least that is what the narrator of the story within the story, the governess, came to see and believe during her time there. The much more likely alternative, however, is much more mundane while also being horrific to a degree; the governess is mentally ill. Through the self made recounts of her actions and behaviours during her time at Bly Manor, it is made clear that the governess is not seeing the supernatural, but rather that she is suffering from the onset of paranoid schizophrenia. Many factors throughout the story point to the governess

As early as the first chapter she fancies herself at the helm of the ship that is the manor. Having practically just arrived and imagining herself as the one keeping the entire state afloat is a bold claim. This is echoed after her supposed sighting of the ghosts where she consistently puts herself in charge of shielding Flora and Miles, even describing her acts as heroic. These both hint strongly at her penchant for delusions of grandeur; seeing herself as a hero who will save the children from the spectres of Bly. Further delusions come in the form of paranoia about the children, from believing the children are attempting to beguile and trick, to believing that Peter Quint has possessed Miles. This paranoia, as well as her delusions of grandeur, are both common symptoms of schizophrenia, developing the case for her mental illness

While no one else from the manor happens to be around during most of these ghost sightings, there are two sightings that stick out; the times she saw Miss Jessel by the lake. The first time she is alone with Flora by the lake, and despite Flora exhibiting no change in behaviour she insists to Mrs. Grose that the child saw the ghastly form of Miss Jessel. Her trustworthiness is further called in to question during their second encounter at the lake, where she is with both Flora and Mrs. Grose. This time she fervently calls the form of Miss Jessel to the others' attention. She takes this as a sign of their recognition of the ghost, but neither of the two mention anything about seeing Miss Jessel, instead being shocked by the governess’ wild assertions. These two events in tandem bring into question the veracity of the narrators' hold on reality, and are strong evidence of these supernatural occurrences being nothing more than hallucinations. Hallucinations are another hallmark of schizophrenic disorders, only further bringing into question the soundness of the governess’ mental