Keyword Guide · book-summary
This guide gives a clear, quick summary of Henry James’s novella The Turn of the Screw. It highlights the plot, characters, and major ideas to help you prepare for class discussions, quizzes, and essays.
A young governess is hired to care for two orphaned children, Miles and Flora, at a remote English estate called Bly. She becomes convinced that the ghosts of two former employees are haunting the grounds and influencing the children. As the governess grows more anxious, her attempts to protect the children intensify, leading to a tense and ambiguous conclusion.
The governess is the central narrator, whose perceptions shape the story. Miles and Flora appear charming and intelligent, yet their behavior raises questions. The ghosts—Peter Quint and Miss Jessel—are described as threatening presences, though their reality is never fully confirmed.
The story explores ambiguity, innocence versus corruption, and the limits of perception. Readers debate whether the ghosts are real or imagined, making the novella a classic example of an unreliable narrator. Fear and repression also play major roles in shaping the governess’s actions.
Focus on moments where the governess interprets events without outside confirmation. Track how other characters respond—or fail to respond—to the supposed ghosts. For essays, address both possible readings: a supernatural story and a psychological one.
It can be read as a ghost story, but many readers also see it as a psychological narrative. The text supports both interpretations.
The final events do not clearly prove whether the ghosts exist. Readers must decide how much to trust the governess’s account.
Know the plot, key characters, and major themes, especially ambiguity and narration. Be ready to explain multiple interpretations.
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