Henry James’s short story (or novella, as it’s also sometimes labeled) “The Turn of the Screw,” which was first published in installments in Collier’s Weekly Magazine in 1898, is at the same time one of his most popular works of fiction and also the one that has been most controversially discussed. In fact, the question whether the apparitions the governess sees are real ghosts haunting and trying to corrupt the children or merely hallucinations of a neurotic woman “blessed” with an overactive imagination has stirred so much controversy that it has even led to the formation of two opposing critical camps sometimes referred to as the apparitionists, i.e. those who believe that the ghosts are real, and the non-apparitionists, i.e. those who believe that the ghosts are just a product of the governess’s overactive imagination. This question of the ghosts’ reality is of course closely linked to the role of the governess as the main character and also narrator of the story, as well as her personality, aims, and motives. Therefore, even apart from the question of the ghosts’ reality, which probably will never be solved to everybody’s satisfaction anyway, one aspect of the story seems to be worth having a closer look at: is the governess rather a heroic woman unselfishly and selfsacrificingly attempting to save the children from the evil influence the ghosts exert on them, or a hysterical and overly protective character wanting to possess her charges and control their every move? In order to shed some light on this conflict (which, just like the aforementioned question of the ghosts’ reality, probably can never be definitely solved), I will first try to sum up the basic information on the governess as provided in the prologue to the actual story, then briefly talk about the point of view from which the action is presented in the narrative proper as well as the effects it has on the reader, and finally discuss various possibilities of characterizing and assessing, based mainly on her actions and statements, the governess and her motives, which I will do in connection with a brief outline of the position some more or less influential critics or critical schools have taken in this matter in the time since the story came out. [...]
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- A Introductory Paragraph
- B The Role of the Governess: Heroic Savior or Possessive Neurotic?
- I Basic Information on the Governess as Presented in the Story
- II The Point of View and Its Effects on the Reader
- III The Governess's Character and Motives
- 1 The Governess as a Psychological Case
- 2 The Governess as the Children's Unselfish Protector
- 3 The Governess as the Children's Possessive Oppressor
- C Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The main objective of this paper is to analyze the character of the governess in Henry James's "The Turn of the Screw," exploring the conflicting interpretations of her as either a heroic savior or a possessive neurotic. The analysis will examine the textual evidence presented in the story to support these contrasting viewpoints.
- The governess's background and reliability as a narrator
- The impact of the narrative's point of view on the reader's interpretation
- The governess's motivations and actions towards the children
- The ambiguity surrounding the existence of the ghosts
- Conflicting critical interpretations of the governess's character
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
A Introductory Paragraph: Henry James's "The Turn of the Screw" is a famously debated work, sparking controversy over whether the governess's apparitions are real ghosts or hallucinations. This ambiguity centers on the governess's role and character, leading to two opposing critical camps: apparitionists (believing the ghosts are real) and non-apparitionists (believing they are hallucinations). The paper will examine whether the governess is a heroic savior or a possessive neurotic, exploring her background, the narrative's point of view, and her actions and motivations to illuminate this central conflict.
B The Role of the Governess: Heroic Savior or Possessive Neurotic?: This section delves into a multifaceted analysis of the governess's character. It begins by examining the limited biographical details provided in the prologue, highlighting her youth, inexperience, and humble origins, contrasting this with her wealthy employer and the imposing environment of Bly. The analysis then shifts to the narrative's point of view, emphasizing the reader's reliance on the governess's perspective and its subjective nature. Finally, it explores interpretations of the governess's actions and motivations, considering her potential as a selfless protector or a controlling, even possessive figure towards the children under her care. The chapter considers different critical perspectives on her character, acknowledging that definitive conclusions may remain elusive.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Henry James, The Turn of the Screw, Governess, Gothic Fiction, Ambiguity, Narrative Point of View, Psychological Analysis, Ghost Story, Hallucination, Possession, Heroism, Neuroticism.
Frequently Asked Questions: Henry James's "The Turn of the Screw" - A Critical Analysis
What is the main objective of this paper?
The primary goal is to analyze the governess's character in Henry James's "The Turn of the Screw," examining the conflicting interpretations of her as either a heroic savior or a possessive neurotic. The analysis uses textual evidence to support these contrasting viewpoints.
What key themes are explored in the analysis?
The analysis explores the governess's background and reliability, the impact of the narrative's point of view, her motivations and actions towards the children, the ambiguity surrounding the ghosts' existence, and conflicting critical interpretations of her character.
What are the chapter summaries?
The introductory paragraph sets the stage by highlighting the debate surrounding the governess's apparitions (real or hallucination) and introduces the central conflict: heroic savior vs. possessive neurotic. The main chapter delves into a multifaceted analysis of the governess, examining her background, the narrative's point of view, and interpretations of her actions and motivations, considering her potential as a selfless protector or a controlling figure. The conclusion (not explicitly summarized) likely synthesizes the findings.
What is the structure of the "Table of Contents"?
The table of contents includes an introduction, a main section dedicated to analyzing the governess's role (which is further subdivided into subsections discussing her presentation, the narrative's point of view, and her character and motives), and a conclusion.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
The keywords include Henry James, The Turn of the Screw, Governess, Gothic Fiction, Ambiguity, Narrative Point of View, Psychological Analysis, Ghost Story, Hallucination, Possession, Heroism, and Neuroticism.
What are the different interpretations of the governess's character?
The analysis explores two contrasting viewpoints: the governess as a heroic savior who selflessly protects the children, and the governess as a possessive neurotic whose actions are driven by psychological issues and a controlling nature. The text acknowledges the ambiguity and the lack of definitive conclusions.
How does the narrative's point of view affect the reader's interpretation?
The analysis emphasizes the importance of the narrative's point of view, highlighting that the reader relies solely on the governess's subjective perspective, which influences how the events and characters are perceived and interpreted.
What is the significance of the ambiguity surrounding the ghosts?
The ambiguity regarding whether the ghosts are real or products of the governess's imagination is central to the story and significantly impacts the interpretation of her character and actions. It fuels the debate between "apparitionists" and "non-apparitionists."
What is the role of the governess's background in the analysis?
The analysis considers the governess's limited biographical information—her youth, inexperience, and humble origins—to contrast her position with her wealthy employer and the imposing environment of Bly. This helps to contextualize her actions and motivations.
- Quote paper
- Bernd Steiner (Author), 2001, The Governess in Henry James's The Turn of the Screw - Heroic Savior or Possessive Neurotic, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/70461
