Henry James′s "The Turn Of The Screw" has been often interpreted since it was first published in 1898. There are a lot of hints in the story, but those hints are rarely stated directly. So the difficulty in reading and judging the story in one certain way makes it even more challenging to read.
Until today critics have not come to an agreement whether Miles and Flora or only the governess are haunted by the ghosts. So one might pose the question "When do critics ever share the same opinion?". After all there are always different people with different opinions who read one and the same story completely different at all. But nevertheless every author has a certain intention, the purpose to convey a message by writing the story down. Possibly the openness to various interpretations is the point of the novel. Basically this is what every reader should have in mind.
Many questions move critics concerning "The Turn Of The Screw", e. g. "What does the governess really see while her encounters with those apparitions?", "How can she describe the dead Peter Quint that detailed without ever having seen him before?" and -most essentially- "How did Miles come to death in the end?". Every question itself is interesting enough, but I find the question most exciting, what the ghosts represent if they are no real supernatural apparitions. It seems to be clear that only the governess is able to see the ghosts. As far as I remember there is no single hint that is evidenced clearly in the whole story that Mrs. Grose or the children are also able to recognize the ghosts. So possibly only the governess is haunted by the apparitions for reasons that have to be analyzed more deeply.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Analysis
2.1 Function of the ghosts in Marxist Criticism
2.1.1 Discussion of Marxist Criticism
2.2 Function of the ghosts in Psychoanalytic Criticism
2.2.1 Discussion of Psychoanalytic Criticism
3. Final Summary
3.1 Personal statement
3.2 Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the function and nature of the ghosts in Henry James's "The Turn of the Screw," focusing on whether the apparitions are objective supernatural entities or psychological projections of the protagonist. By analyzing the narrative through the lenses of Marxist and Psychoanalytic criticism, the author explores how class structures and repressed Victorian sexual anxieties shape the governess's perception and mental state.
- Interpretation of supernatural vs. psychological manifestations.
- Marxist analysis of class hierarchy and social allegory.
- Psychoanalytic perspectives on sexual repression and hysteria.
- The influence of Victorian social norms on narrative reliability.
- The ambiguity of the governess as an unreliable narrator.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 Function of the ghosts in Marxist Criticism
The theory of literature of the Marxist Criticism is summarized by Bruce Robbins as follows: "First, they put texts into historical context. Unlike other styles of historic criticism, they also do something else. They try to change that context – to have an effect on history." Due to this putting into historical context, Robbins analyzes the story in his essay "They don't much count, do they?" from the historical point of view in which the governess is situated at the moment the story happens.
In the 19. century novels with governesses were very famous, especially them which contained love stories between governess and master, like it is also in "The Turn Of The Screw". In Victorian times governesses were also a general subject to vague accusations of sexual misconduct. One example is "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë. But those novels usually end with a quite unrealistic overcome of social class differences, and have a so-called happy-end. The main character in "The Turn Of The Screw" is denied such a destiny, more disastrous "she never even sees him again". This is the first issue of Marxist Criticism concerning the function of the ghosts for the governess. She is -consciously or not consciously- in love with her master being a member of a higher social class. Therefore she wants to impress him by showing she can do the job as best as she can. Miles and Flora shall be protected by her heroically, so it would be possible that the governess is driven by a certain force which tells her do behave as if she was a hero. But she is not able to do so due to the non-existence of danger at Bly. So her fantasy invents the ghosts.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction outlines the enduring ambiguity surrounding the governess's experiences and states the paper's intention to analyze the ghosts through Marxist and Psychoanalytic theories.
2. Analysis: This section investigates the ghosts as either social allegories rooted in class struggle or as internal projections resulting from the governess's sexual repression.
2.1 Function of the ghosts in Marxist Criticism: This chapter argues that the governess, driven by her status and longing for her employer, invents the ghosts as a reflection of her social situation and failed aspirations.
2.1.1 Discussion of Marxist Criticism: This part elaborates on the allegorical nature of the ghosts, viewing them as representations of the "unreal" status of governesses within Victorian households.
2.2 Function of the ghosts in Psychoanalytic Criticism: This chapter suggests that the ghosts serve as manifestations of the governess’s unconscious fears regarding male sexuality and puritanical ideals.
2.2.1 Discussion of Psychoanalytic Criticism: This section explores the theory of "sexual hysteria," framing the ghosts as projections of the governess’s future and her own suppressed desires.
3. Final Summary: The summary synthesizes the conflicting interpretative approaches and highlights the difficulty of reaching a definitive reading of the text.
3.1 Personal statement: The author reflects on the theories presented, noting that while both provide valuable insights, the text's ambiguity remains its most defining feature.
3.2 Conclusion: The conclusion asserts that the ghosts are metaphors for the governess's mental state, emphasizing the impossibility of confirming the narrative reality of the apparitions.
Keywords
Henry James, The Turn of the Screw, Marxist Criticism, Psychoanalytic Criticism, Governess, Ghosts, Victorian Era, Social Hierarchy, Sexual Hysteria, Unreliable Narrator, Apparitions, Psychological Drama, Repression, Literary Analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper examines the function and significance of the ghosts in "The Turn of the Screw," questioning whether they are genuine supernatural beings or manifestations of the protagonist's psyche.
Which theoretical frameworks are used to analyze the novel?
The author employs Marxist criticism, focusing on social class and historical context, and psychoanalytic criticism, which addresses themes of repressed sexuality and hysteria.
What is the main goal of the research?
The goal is to juxtapose and evaluate how different literary theories explain the ambiguity of the governess's experiences and the nature of the ghosts she encounters.
How does Marxist criticism interpret the ghosts?
Marxist criticism views the ghosts as allegorical figures that reflect the governess's marginalized position in the social hierarchy and her unfulfilled desire for her master.
What does the psychoanalytic perspective argue?
This perspective posits that the ghosts are projections of the governess's internalized sexual fears and the conflict between her natural impulses and rigid Victorian morality.
Which key terms characterize this analysis?
Key terms include "unreliable narrator," "sexual hysteria," "social allegory," and "Victorian idealism."
How does the author address the governess's ability to describe the ghost of Peter Quint?
The author discusses how various critics attempt to explain this, including theories regarding physiognomic stereotypes, the governess's subconscious, or simply James’s intent to maintain the suspense of a traditional ghost story.
Does the author reach a definitive conclusion about the reality of the ghosts?
No, the author concludes that the ghosts are likely metaphors for the governess's mental state and emphasizes that the ambiguity is a deliberate and central element of Henry James's work.
- Quote paper
- Katrin Zielina (Author), 2002, Function and analysis of the ghosts in 'Turn of the Screw ' by Henry James, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/13208
