In The Turn of the Screw by Henry James, the governess’ sanity is constantly questioned. James initially displays the governess as a lovely agreeable woman, then adds aspects to her character that may be seen as insane. However, as a whole, the governess’ actions and character traits confirm her sanity. The governess is sane because she tries to protect the children and makes rational decisions. Furthermore, she is not the only one that senses the ghosts.
Since the governess’ only goal is to protect the children from the ghosts, she is viewed as sane. From the beginning, the governess claims responsibility of the children. The governess displays her fervent love for the children when she tells Miles that she’d “rather die than give …show more content…
Her decisions are not based fully on emotions, but are sensible and well thought out. When the governess forms a sudden possession to leave Bly and could “easily put an end to [her] predicament by getting away altogether,” she first considers how this action would affect the children (James 57). She constantly makes choices according to what she finds to be logical and what will ultimately benefit others, thereby proving that she is not rash and or jumps to conclusions. However, the governess also knows when she is no longer capable of fulfilling her duties, further portraying her rational qualities. When she realizes that Flora has become ill, the governess shows that she is aware of her limitations by telling Mrs. Grose that “[Flora] must leave [Bly]” (James 75). She does not make Flora stay and attempt to help her when she knows she has no control. The governess decides to put her full attention into Miles, since she can still save him. The governess’ ability to realize when she can no longer help shows that the governess is able to make logical choices and has her priorities straight. An insane person would not be able to look at the pros and cons in his or her life choices and see the difference between right and
Since the governess’ only goal is to protect the children from the ghosts, she is viewed as sane. From the beginning, the governess claims responsibility of the children. The governess displays her fervent love for the children when she tells Miles that she’d “rather die than give …show more content…
Her decisions are not based fully on emotions, but are sensible and well thought out. When the governess forms a sudden possession to leave Bly and could “easily put an end to [her] predicament by getting away altogether,” she first considers how this action would affect the children (James 57). She constantly makes choices according to what she finds to be logical and what will ultimately benefit others, thereby proving that she is not rash and or jumps to conclusions. However, the governess also knows when she is no longer capable of fulfilling her duties, further portraying her rational qualities. When she realizes that Flora has become ill, the governess shows that she is aware of her limitations by telling Mrs. Grose that “[Flora] must leave [Bly]” (James 75). She does not make Flora stay and attempt to help her when she knows she has no control. The governess decides to put her full attention into Miles, since she can still save him. The governess’ ability to realize when she can no longer help shows that the governess is able to make logical choices and has her priorities straight. An insane person would not be able to look at the pros and cons in his or her life choices and see the difference between right and