A Literary Analysis of Psychological Inner Conflict in The Turn of the Screw by Henry James

Henry James's novella The Turn of the Screw introduced an interesting psychological inner conflict that occurs as the reader continues to become accustomed to the story. As the novella precedes the argument of hallucinations versus realities is presented to the reader. Jame's technique of introducing the phenomenon of ghost into the story was subtle and initially without a second thought majority of readers believed that the ghosts the governess sees are part of her actual reality. It is not until after the reader has finished the story and taken the time to review the events that occurred when the reader realizes that there is the possibility that the perceived ghost could have been apart of her imagination.

The literature techniques James uses to convey the appearances of the apparent ghosts are vague in detail and contradict facts of the story that illustrate the question of hallucination versus reality.

Literary critics have taken sides in the discussion of whether the ghost were hallucinations of the governess imagination or were they truly manifested ghost.

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The story presents evidence that verifies the governess ghost sightings and literary critics have provided theoretical information that supports the hallucination theory. The governess first encounters with the ghost frightened her and when she described in detail to Mrs. Grose who she had saw on the tower and who was looking through the window, Mrs. Grose identified the mysterious ghost as Peter Quint. Prior to the identification of Peter Quint by Mrs. Grose, the governess had no prior knowledge of the existence of Peter Quint.

This identification after the governess detailed description, supports the argument that the governess actually saw a manifestation of a ghost based on the fact that she has never seen or heard of Peter Quint prior to Lyue this incident. Even though this incident seems as if it would be enough support to prove that the governess actually witness the appearance of a ghost, literary critic Jorge Rodriguez explains how the governess can be seen as unreliable. "She may be unconsciously repressing important aspects of the story"(Rodriguez). Literary critic Rodriguez believes that the governess was having manifested visions resulting from her repressed infatuation with the children caretaker. Rodriguez also presents the fact that the governess was initially thinking of someone right before her first encounter with Peter Quint, "someone would appear there at the turn of the path and would stand before me and smile and approve" (pg.19). Also it illustrates the governess's disappointment when it's someone else and not her loved one. "The man who met my eyes was not the person I had precipitately supposed"(pg.20). The text never specified if the governess was in love with the children caretaker but it assumed based on the references made says Jorge Rodriguez.

The governess's second incident involving the sighting of a ghost occurs when she sees Miss Jessel, who she identifies based on her unique appearance. The governess is frightened by the appearances of Miss Jessel and she believes she appears to corrupt the mind of Flora. Unlike her incident with Peter Quint, the governess does not describe the ghost but she identifies her as the previous care taker and based off her appearance and her arrival around Flora, the governess is convinced that the ghost is evil and has intentions to harm the children. However, literary critics describe her encounters with Miss Jessel to be manifested hallucinations that represent the governess's own personal fears. Critics describe the governess as a sexually frustrated women of the late Victorian period that deals with the desire to appear as the perfect caretaker to her master. Miss Jessel is only a manifestation of her suppressed fear of not being a worthy caretaker. When Flora escapes to the lake and the governess and Mrs. Grose arrive, the governess is already in distraught because Flora has run off "without a hat", therefore her suppressed anxiety causes her to manifest Miss Jessel when they arrive to Flora at the lake.

Mrs. Grose and Flora appear to have not seen Miss Jessel at the lake unlike the governess and this oblivious nature supports the argument that the governess may have had suppressed hallucinations of her fears. Literary Critic William Veeder said "the governess appears to get more intense about her believes and further convince Mrs. Grose of the reality of her observations; the more insane she might appear to be." Henry James's concept and structure of The Turn of the Screw boggled and intrigued various readers and critics. His choice of style and literary techniques helped produced double sided ghost story. His use of vague explanations and background created the intellectual argument of hallucinations versus realities. Critics and readers are able to believe in either side based on their perception of the story. Evidence based arguments are made for both viewpoints which helps give a more in depth view of the story. James wrote the story without a right or wrong answer leaving the door open for argumentative discussions, which has been talked about and have out lived his very existence. No one may know what the true intentions Henry James had for this story but the argument will live on and continue, hallucinations or realities?

Work Cited

1. Qurani, Shonayfa Mohammed Al-. "Studies in Literature and Language." Hallucinations or Realities: The Ghosts in Henry James's The Turn of the Screw. N.p., 17 Nov. 2012. Web. 20 Jan. 2014.