Turn of the Screw

Directions: As you read the story, answer the following questions. Be sure to answer all the questions for some have more than one question. Change the font or color of your answers to make them more visible.

1) Describe James's narrative frame. What is the atmosphere of this framing sequence?

At first it is indifferent, but then it goes to a dark and almost depressing like atmosphere.

2) What is the relationship between the narrator and the governess? The narrator listens to a friend as he reads a manuscript written by the governess that the friend knows.

3) How does the governess gain her employment? What unusual stipulations does he place on her employment? She was hired when a man living in London, makes her take care of his niece and nephew. The uncle is not interested in raising the children.

4) James switches narrators between the prologue and first chapter. What is the effect of this change? Why do you believe James chooses this narrative course? It switches to show whose point of view the story is being told. It makes it more interesting to know how the governess feels throughout the story from her own point of view than a third person telling what she is thinking.

5) How does the governess describe Flora? As the most beautiful child she had ever seen.

6) Why does the governess decide to ignore the child's cry? She is too happy about her new jop.

7) How does James employ foreshadowing at the end of Chapter 1? So that the governess can tell Mrs. Grose about the possibility of ghosts in the area.

8) What is the incident that "deeply disconcerted" the governess? Explain in detail her conversation with Mrs. Grose regarding the incident. Miles is expelled from school and the governess wonders if he is a really bad kid. Mrs. Grose assures he cannot harm anyone, even though he is a "lively young boy".

9) What happened to the previous governess? Be specific. The previous governess had left with intentions of returning. However, she became ill and died soon after. The cause of death is left unexplained.

10) How does the governess view Miles before meeting him? After? What is the reason for her change of heart? At first the governess views Miles as a "perfect and beautiful child." However, once she gets the note about him being expelled from school, she wonders if he is "contaminate and corrupt." After meeting the boy she goes back to her previous interpretations.

11) Describe how the governess characterizes her first few weeks at Bly House. She describes it with the children as "a gentleness of extraordinary," but she still enjoys her afternoon freedom.

12) What does the governess see on the tower? Why does this vision upset her? She believes there is a secret at Bly. She also thinks that if she keeps wondering and worrying about the mystery, she will lose her wits from being too nervous.

13) At the beginning of Chapter 4, James writes "Was there a 'secret' at Bly-a mystery of Udolpho or an insane, an unmentionable relative kept in unsuspected confinement?" This statement makes reference to two novels, The Mystery of UdoJpho and Jane Eyre. Research both texts; why do you believe James chose to make these references? To make the reader wonder if the evil is coming to inflict upon the innocent children and governess.

14) How does the governess rationalize the intrusion into the house? Why does she believe it will not happen again? That the mystery is shocking and makes her nervous. She also believes the figures are from her imagination.

15) Why does the governess decide not to go to church with Mrs. Grose? She is afraid for the children because of the "strange man".

16) Who is Peter Quint? He was the master's personal