Henry James’s title of his novel could not have been more allusive. He writes “The Turn of the Screw” at the turn of the century when people were both excited and nervous about what to expect of the new century. He gives the ghost-story another turn of the screw as the tale involves a second child. And even the author is at a turning point, because he decided, for the first time, to rent an old house, where he stays until his death. What happens if one turns the screw? Does it all get worse or does giving the screw two turns produce a status that restores its former orientation? Certainly a turn alters something. The governess in “The Turn of the Screw” wonders what happens if someone turns out to be, for instance, innocent and this thought is instantly followed by another: What then on earth is the governess? This tendency to relate everything to one’s personal situation is perfectly human, but problematic. Can one unconditionally trust one’s own perception? Even the governess doubts this. She and the ghosts will be analysed and carefully interpreted in order to understand James’s narrative and the problems of human doubts and awareness.
Table of Contents
- The "Turn"
- Henry James and his motives for writing a ghost story
- "The Turn of the Screw" - Summary
- The governess
- The apparitions and the governess's attitude towards them
- "The Turn of the Screw" and the Gothic novel
- An appeal to readers of contemporary supernatural literature
Objectives and Key Themes
This seminar paper analyzes Henry James's "The Turn of the Screw," exploring the author's motivations for writing a ghost story, the central role of the governess, the nature of the apparitions, and the novel's connection to the Gothic tradition. It aims to provide a detailed interpretation of the narrative, focusing on the complexities of human perception, doubt, and awareness.
- Henry James's motivations for writing "The Turn of the Screw"
- The governess's perspective and reliability as a narrator
- The ambiguity surrounding the apparitions and their impact on the children
- The novel's relationship to the Gothic genre
- The exploration of themes of innocence, guilt, and perception
Chapter Summaries
The "Turn": This introductory chapter explores the multifaceted meaning of the novel's title, connecting it to the turn of the century anxieties, the dual presence of children in the narrative, and the author's personal life changes. The chapter highlights the ambiguity of 'turning the screw' - whether it intensifies or resolves the situation. The author then introduces the central question of the governess's reliability and the subsequent analysis that will unpack the narrative’s complexities of doubt and perception.
Henry James and his motives for writing a ghost story: This chapter delves into Henry James's life and career, emphasizing his "international life" and connections to other prominent writers. It examines the genesis of "The Turn of the Screw," tracing its origins from notebook entries to its publication and subsequent success. The chapter explores James's motivations, acknowledging both financial necessity and his desire to contribute to the American tradition of supernatural fiction exemplified by Poe and Hawthorne. The discussion of the notebook entries alludes to possible interpretations of the characters' innocence or guilt, foreshadowing the ambiguity central to the novel's plot.
"The Turn of the Screw" - Summary: This chapter provides a concise plot summary of the novella. Beginning with a framing narrative of a Christmas Eve gathering where the story is recounted, it summarizes the governess's arrival at Bly, her initial positive impressions, and the unfolding events concerning the children, Miles and Flora. The increasing suspicion surrounding the children's behavior and the governess's unsettling encounters with the apparitions are detailed. This chapter highlights the governess's growing conviction about the ghostly presence and its influence on the children, culminating in the tragic climax. This narrative overview sets the stage for the deeper analysis provided in the subsequent chapters.
The governess: This chapter focuses on the character of the governess, examining the initial positive portrayal offered by the frame narrator and contrasting it with the governess's own narrative. The analysis will likely explore her reliability as a narrator, highlighting potential biases and subjective perceptions. The chapter aims to decipher the governess's psychological state and assess the extent to which her observations can be considered factual or influenced by her own anxieties and desires.
The apparitions and the governess's attitude towards them: This chapter analyzes the nature of the apparitions of Peter Quint and Miss Jessel, exploring the ambiguity surrounding their existence and the governess's evolving interpretation of them. The chapter is expected to discuss the governess's increasing obsession with the ghosts and how her interactions with the children are affected by her perception of the ghostly presence. It will likely analyze the symbolism associated with the apparitions and their possible psychological significance. The chapter's analysis will contribute to the ongoing discussion of whether the apparitions are real or manifestations of the governess's troubled mind.
Keywords
Henry James, The Turn of the Screw, ghost story, Gothic novel, governess, unreliable narrator, apparitions, Peter Quint, Miss Jessel, children, innocence, guilt, perception, ambiguity, supernatural, psychological horror.
Henry James's "The Turn of the Screw": A Comprehensive FAQ
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of Henry James's "The Turn of the Screw," including a table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. It's intended for academic use, facilitating analysis of the themes within the novella.
What topics are covered in the Table of Contents?
The table of contents outlines the key areas of analysis: the meaning of the title, Henry James's motivations for writing the ghost story, a summary of "The Turn of the Screw," an in-depth look at the governess, the nature of the apparitions and the governess's interpretation, the novel's connection to the Gothic genre, and a concluding appeal to contemporary readers of supernatural literature.
What are the main objectives and key themes explored?
The document aims to analyze Henry James's motivations, the governess's role and reliability, the ambiguity surrounding the apparitions, the novel's relationship to the Gothic tradition, and the exploration of innocence, guilt, and perception. It focuses on the complexities of human perception, doubt, and awareness.
What does each chapter summary cover?
The chapter summaries provide concise overviews of each section's content. They cover the multifaceted meaning of the title, delve into James's life and motivations for writing the story, offer a plot summary of the novella, examine the governess's character and reliability, analyze the apparitions and the governess's perspective on them, and connect the novel to the Gothic tradition.
What is the significance of the governess's character?
The analysis focuses on the governess's reliability as a narrator, exploring potential biases and subjective perceptions. It aims to decipher her psychological state and assess the objectivity of her observations.
How are the apparitions analyzed?
The analysis of the apparitions explores the ambiguity surrounding their existence and the governess's evolving interpretation. It examines the symbolism associated with them and their potential psychological significance, contributing to the debate on their reality versus being manifestations of the governess's troubled mind.
What keywords are associated with this analysis?
The keywords highlight the key terms and concepts explored in the analysis: Henry James, "The Turn of the Screw," ghost story, Gothic novel, governess, unreliable narrator, apparitions, Peter Quint, Miss Jessel, children, innocence, guilt, perception, ambiguity, supernatural, and psychological horror.
What is the overall approach to analyzing "The Turn of the Screw"?
The analysis takes a detailed and interpretative approach, focusing on the complexities of the narrative and exploring the ambiguity central to the plot. It aims to provide a structured and professional examination of the themes presented in the novella.
- Quote paper
- Franziska Gotthard (Author), 2010, Henry James and "The Turn of the Screw": The Governess and the Ghosts, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/265181
