Summary
The Turn of the Screw, Henry James' chilling 1898 novella, remains one of the most analyzed and debated works of gothic horror in English literature. This short but intricate tale follows a young governess who becomes convinced that the two children in her care are being corrupted by malevolent ghosts. James' masterful use of ambiguity has led to over a century of critical debate about whether the hauntings are real or merely figments of the governess' imagination.
Originally serialized in Collier's Weekly magazine, The Turn of the Screw was an instant commercial and critical success upon its publication as a novel. James drew inspiration from a ghost story told to him by the Archbishop of Canterbury, crafting a work that blends elements of gothic horror, psychological thriller, and social commentary. The novella's exploration of themes like innocence, corruption, and class have ensured its enduring relevance.
The Turn of the Screw has been adapted numerous times across various media, perhaps the most famous version being the 1961 film The Innocents, directed by Jack Clayton and starring Deborah Kerr. This critically acclaimed adaptation is widely considered one of the greatest horror films ever made, translating James' ambiguous prose into haunting visuals that capture the novella's unsettling atmosphere. The story's impact continues to be felt in literature and film, cementing its place as a seminal work of horror fiction.
Plot
In Henry James's novella The Turn of the Screw, a young governess is hired to care for two orphaned children, Miles and Flora, at their uncle's country estate called Bly. The children's uncle, who lives in London, gives the governess full charge and instructs her not to bother him. Soon after arriving at Bly, the governess begins to see mysterious figures that she believes are ghosts.
The governess learns from the housekeeper, Mrs. Grose, that these apparitions resemble two former employees who had an inappropriate relationship - the valet Peter Quint and the previous governess Miss Jessel. Both are now deceased. The governess becomes convinced that the ghosts are evil entities trying to possess and corrupt the children. She observes strange behavior from Miles and Flora that reinforces her suspicions.
Tensions escalate when Miles is expelled from his boarding school for unknown reasons. During an outing, the governess believes she sees Flora speaking with Miss Jessel's ghost by a lake, though Mrs. Grose does not see the apparition. Flora becomes hysterical and Mrs. Grose takes her away to London. Left alone with Miles, the governess confronts him about the ghosts and his expulsion. The ghost of Peter Quint appears at the window as Miles confesses to saying “things” to people he liked at school.
In the climactic final scene, the governess shields Miles from Quint's ghost and declares the boy is free from the spirit's influence. However, she then discovers that Miles has inexplicably died in her arms. The ambiguous ending leaves it unclear whether supernatural forces were truly at work or if the events stemmed from the governess's own psychological state.
Themes
Ambiguity between reality and imagination
Corruption of innocence
Class dynamics and social expectations
Psychological deterioration and madness
Good versus evil
Power of suggestion and unreliable narration
Repressed sexuality and desire
Setting
Henry James' novella The Turn of the Screw is set in the late Victorian era, likely the 1890s when it was written and published. The story takes place primarily in England, with most of the action occurring at a country estate called Bly in Essex.
Bly is described as a large, isolated manor house surrounded by extensive grounds. Key locations on the estate include a lake, gardens, and an old tower where some of the ghostly encounters occur. The remote, secluded nature of Bly contributes to the eerie atmosphere and sense of isolation permeating the story.
While Bly serves as the main setting, the framing narrative takes place elsewhere, with characters gathered around a fire on Christmas Eve to hear the governess's manuscript read aloud. Brief mentions are also made of London, where the children's uncle resides, and the boarding school that Miles is expelled from. However, the focus remains on the insular world of Bly and the increasingly disturbing events that unfold there.
Characters
The Governess: The unnamed main protagonist and narrator. A young, inexperienced woman hired to care for two children at a remote country estate. She becomes convinced the children are being influenced by malevolent ghosts and grows increasingly paranoid and unstable. Her unreliable narration is central to the story's ambiguity.
Miles: The 10-year-old boy under the governess's care. Charming and precocious, but mysteriously expelled from his boarding school. His relationship with the governess and possible corruption by the ghosts drive much of the plot. He dies mysteriously at the end of the story.
Flora: Miles' younger sister, around 8 years old. Initially sweet and innocent, she later rejects the governess after a confrontation about the ghosts. Her behavior contributes to the story's psychological tension.
Mrs. Grose: The housekeeper at Bly. A simple, kind woman who serves as a confidante to the governess but is skeptical of her claims about the ghosts. Her inability to see the apparitions adds to the story's ambiguity.
Peter Quint: The deceased former valet at Bly. His ghost is said to be corrupting Miles. A man of low social status who had an inappropriate relationship with Miss Jessel.
Miss Jessel: The children's previous governess, now deceased. Her ghost is said to be influencing Flora. She had a scandalous relationship with Peter Quint before their deaths.
The Uncle: The children's absent guardian who hires the governess. His disinterest in the children and attraction to the governess set the story in motion. He never appears directly in the narrative.
Douglas: The narrator of the prologue who introduces the governess's manuscript. He knew the governess personally and vouches for her character.
Quick facts
The novella was originally published as a 12-part serialization in Collier's Weekly magazine in 1898 before being released as a book.
James was inspired to write the story after hearing a ghost tale from the Archbishop of Canterbury during a visit.
The author dictated much of the novella to his secretary, as he found writing by hand difficult due to health issues.
James was paid $900 for the serial rights, equivalent to about $33,000 today.
The story's ambiguity has sparked decades of critical debate over whether the ghosts are real or hallucinations of the governess.
Notable adaptations include Benjamin Britten's 1954 opera and the 1961 film The Innocents.
Stephen King described it as one of only two great supernatural horror works of the 20th century.
The novella influenced works like The Secret Garden and the TV show Dark Shadows.
James revised the text 10 years after publication for the New York Edition, though most changes were minor.
Early critics praised it as a frightening ghost story, before later psychoanalytic interpretations emerged.
About the Author
Henry James (1843-1916) was a pioneering figure in transatlantic literature who bridged 19th century literary realism and early 20th century modernism. Born in New York to a wealthy, intellectual family, James spent much of his adult life as an expatriate in Europe, eventually becoming a British citizen in 1915. His experiences straddling American and European cultures informed many of his greatest works, which often explored the cultural clash between characters from the Old and New Worlds.
James is best known for his psychologically complex novels that delve deeply into characters' inner lives and motivations. Some of his most acclaimed works include The Portrait of a Lady, The Wings of the Dove, and The Ambassadors. His writing style evolved over his career, becoming increasingly experimental and obscure in his later novels. James was also a prolific writer of short fiction, with novellas like The Turn of the Screw remaining widely read and analyzed today.
Beyond fiction, James was an influential literary critic who helped shape theories about the novel as an art form. His essay “The Art of Fiction” argued for giving novelists maximum creative freedom. James also wrote extensively on other authors, penned travelogues, and attempted to establish himself as a playwright, though with limited success. His autobiographical works provide insight into his artistic development and family life. James's life and work have inspired numerous scholarly studies, as well as fictionalized portrayals in novels, plays and films, cementing his place as a towering figure in American and British literary history.
