The Possession In The Turn Of The Screw By Henry James
The Possession In novels written by Henry James, a current theme is replayed over and over again. James is known for making his narrator seem unreliable throughout the novels, making the reader start to question what is true about the novel and what is not. This is shown all throughout James’ classic, The Turn of the Screw. In this novel, the main character, the governess, in counts numerous ghost sightings at her new job at the Bly. She starts to become spectacle that the children who she is caring for are starting to plan against her to get rid of her. Throughout the novel though, many things are brought forth that make it seem that the governess’ story may be flawed. In reality, the governess is true, but she does over exaggerate some parts
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In the prologue, a character is introduced by the name of Douglas. He is one who has the manuscript for the story. The first sign of the governess’ reliability is shown by the fact that Douglas is actual Miles. The first sign of this is shown by the fact the governess who gave Douglas the story “was ten years older” than him and “she was my sister’s governess” (James 5). In the story, the age of Miles is ten and the governess is 20. This age difference is the first of many pieces of evidence pointing to the fact Douglas is actually an older Miles. Since Douglas is actual Miles, the governess whom he received the story is his old governess from when he was ten. This is why he said she was his sister’s governess. The reason Douglas/Miles did not also include that the governess was also his is because she spent more time with his sister Flora. In the novel, it states numerous times that Flora slept in the same room as the governess. This creates a better connection between her and Flora instead of her and Miles. The reason Douglas being Miles helps proves the governess’ reliability is that he is allowed to look over her story. Giving the story to Douglas/Miles allows him to look over it and see if she left out any arcing events or miss told anything. Since she wrote it years after it took place, the governess want to make the story as accurate as possible and this is shown by sending it to Douglas/
In the prologue, a character is introduced by the name of Douglas. He is one who has the manuscript for the story. The first sign of the governess’ reliability is shown by the fact that Douglas is actual Miles. The first sign of this is shown by the fact the governess who gave Douglas the story “was ten years older” than him and “she was my sister’s governess” (James 5). In the story, the age of Miles is ten and the governess is 20. This age difference is the first of many pieces of evidence pointing to the fact Douglas is actually an older Miles. Since Douglas is actual Miles, the governess whom he received the story is his old governess from when he was ten. This is why he said she was his sister’s governess. The reason Douglas/Miles did not also include that the governess was also his is because she spent more time with his sister Flora. In the novel, it states numerous times that Flora slept in the same room as the governess. This creates a better connection between her and Flora instead of her and Miles. The reason Douglas being Miles helps proves the governess’ reliability is that he is allowed to look over her story. Giving the story to Douglas/Miles allows him to look over it and see if she left out any arcing events or miss told anything. Since she wrote it years after it took place, the governess want to make the story as accurate as possible and this is shown by sending it to Douglas/