In The Turn of the Screw adolescence is depicted, mostly through the thoughts of the governess, as maintenance of innocence. However, it is shown that throughout adolescence, and through the loss of adolescence, there is constant corruption and negative influences which ultimately lead to a loss of innocence. This loss of innocence and struggle to cling to adolescence seen throughout the novel is Henry James’s way of depicting the consequences of hidden desires. These desires, specifically those of the governess, left unshared, lead a person unable to move on and can lead to irrational outlets in attempts to cope with one’s personal struggle. Before knowing about Quint, the now dead valet of Bly Manner, the governess believed that Miles
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Until Flora is sent awat by the governess removing the children from the ghosts or trying to expel the ghosts from the house was never discussed. Instead, the governess’s fears focus almost entirely on the potential “corruption” of the children by Quint and Jessel when they were alive and employed at the manner, and if that corruption is now carried on by the presence of their ghosts. Her fear of innocence being lost seems to be a big part of the reason she approaches the problem so indirectly, not only are the ghosts unmentionable but, beyond that the thoughts express by the ghost are absolutely unfathomable. Throughout the work it is also implies that the governess could hold hidden sexual desire for her employer; rather than acknowledging this desire she uses the ghosts as a coping mechanism, casting her worries and daydreams into their actions believing that they intend to corrupt the children. Because the governess represses her own desires she forces them on others, creating a perspective loss of innocence, which she holds to be the key to childhood, and with it actually corrupts the children further. The depiction of the ghosts serves to show that childhood is often corrupted by those who intend on protecting “childhood” innocence, rather than coming to terms with and aiding with the process of obtaining …show more content…
Mrs. Grose is married, and the uncle, though a bachelor, is known as a ladies’ man. While disgusted by the deceased, Miss Jessel’s sexual past, she is also fascinated and extremely inquisitive. From this example it could be argued that the governess’s fear of the children’s corruption is actually a representation of her own fears and desires regarding sex. From this we can see that perhaps Flora and Miles are not the only “adolescences” that were depicted within the book and that perhaps the governess, not ready to take on a responsibility of caring for children, was herself a child because of her lack of knowledge. As any child she grew naturally inquisitive of those topics beyond youthful innocence and this drove her to insanity, as she was unable to express her mixed emotions between her innocent youth and adulthood sexual knowledge. This secret ultimately drove her to create escapes in her head, such as the apparitions, and drove those around her insane, especially Miles. This inability to come to terms with, and express, her desire for adult, sexual, knowledge shows the detrimental effects of hidden secrets within the novel, secrets which are common with coming of
Until Flora is sent awat by the governess removing the children from the ghosts or trying to expel the ghosts from the house was never discussed. Instead, the governess’s fears focus almost entirely on the potential “corruption” of the children by Quint and Jessel when they were alive and employed at the manner, and if that corruption is now carried on by the presence of their ghosts. Her fear of innocence being lost seems to be a big part of the reason she approaches the problem so indirectly, not only are the ghosts unmentionable but, beyond that the thoughts express by the ghost are absolutely unfathomable. Throughout the work it is also implies that the governess could hold hidden sexual desire for her employer; rather than acknowledging this desire she uses the ghosts as a coping mechanism, casting her worries and daydreams into their actions believing that they intend to corrupt the children. Because the governess represses her own desires she forces them on others, creating a perspective loss of innocence, which she holds to be the key to childhood, and with it actually corrupts the children further. The depiction of the ghosts serves to show that childhood is often corrupted by those who intend on protecting “childhood” innocence, rather than coming to terms with and aiding with the process of obtaining …show more content…
Mrs. Grose is married, and the uncle, though a bachelor, is known as a ladies’ man. While disgusted by the deceased, Miss Jessel’s sexual past, she is also fascinated and extremely inquisitive. From this example it could be argued that the governess’s fear of the children’s corruption is actually a representation of her own fears and desires regarding sex. From this we can see that perhaps Flora and Miles are not the only “adolescences” that were depicted within the book and that perhaps the governess, not ready to take on a responsibility of caring for children, was herself a child because of her lack of knowledge. As any child she grew naturally inquisitive of those topics beyond youthful innocence and this drove her to insanity, as she was unable to express her mixed emotions between her innocent youth and adulthood sexual knowledge. This secret ultimately drove her to create escapes in her head, such as the apparitions, and drove those around her insane, especially Miles. This inability to come to terms with, and express, her desire for adult, sexual, knowledge shows the detrimental effects of hidden secrets within the novel, secrets which are common with coming of