Ambiguity In The Turn Of The Screw

The history of horror is an interest of some, but not all. It is a genre seeking to rattle a negative emotional reaction by playing to the audience’s fear. Henry James became fascinated by the horror genre and used the fear tactic to craft many of his writings. One of his tactics is the usage of Ambiguity in his writings which included mysterious horror stories. In the Turn of The Screw, Henry James uses ambiguity in his writing to try to convert readers to critical thinkers based on his use of structure, diction, and tone. Depending on the reader’s interpretations throughout the book, one may interpret that Miles and Flora are acquainted with the Ghost, Mr. Quint, and Jessel, but they are purposely messing with her mind, the Governess, and Mrs. Grose knows it ,but won’t admit it. Miss Jessel is the Governess’s predecessor. Mrs. Grose describes Miss Jessel as a lady, young and beautiful ,but infamous. Miss Jessel apparently had an inappropriate relationship with Quint, who was well below her class standing. Mr. Quint a former valet in Bly. Red-haired, handsome, …show more content…
In one interpretation, Mrs. Grose is worried that the ghost is trying to corrupt Miles and Flora, and that Miles is possessed by the Ghost and has acquaintance with the Ghost. Some critics suggest that Peter Quint is the cause of Miles death, and the ambiguity of the writing can certainly cause confusion for the unskilled reader. Eventually, readers will a read a book with new structure, tone, and diction that may change the reader's perspective on an issue, and might confuse the reader. The way the readers think of things isn’t always the only way to think of