Turn Of The Screw Essay

Turn of the Screw by Henry James provokes many feelings within the reader. While reading this novel James uses cruxes and gaps to make the reader decide on what is occurring at the time. These moments can sometimes cause confusion but also make this novel a great read. From the start to the very end James uses different styles of narrative theory to enhance the book. Douglas, the teller of the story, introduces the governess in the beginning. She is never mentioned to have any previous encounters with ghosts or other supernatural beings. This brief description makes the reader see the governess as a normal nanny with no previous issues. This description is also short to allude to the questioning behind her actions throughout the rest of the

With Mrs.Grose always taking the children’s side and both Miles and Flora being young this novel is set up to be a creepy ghost story. What you get instead is a twisting novel that makes the reader question what is false and what is reality. Clues are placed throughout the novel and serve as evidence to support both sides. Many times the governess points out visions of Peter Quint and Mrs.Jessel to the children and Mrs.Grose. No instance is more blatant than when the governess declares she sees Mrs.Jessel across the lake. Flora is adamant she sees nothing as well as Mrs.Grose. This scene makes the reader question the governess’s sanity heavily for the first time. A portion of the novel that portrays the contrary is in the final chapter. When the governess is alone with Miles he states, ““It’s he?” I was so determined to have all my proof that I flashed into ice to challenge him. “Whom do you mean by ‘he’?” “Peter Quint—you devil!” His face gave again, round the room, its convulsed supplication. “Where?” ”(James, 148 e-book). This final scene gives the reader reason to believe Miles also sees Peter Quint and allows for your own interpretation of the governess’s