The State of the Governess’ Mind The literary choices made by Henry James in The Turn of the Screw cultivates a numerous amount of theories to the stumping question: are the ghosts the governess sees real, or are they symptoms of her insanity? As the story goes, a sheltered young woman is hired on as a governess for a charming man’s niece and nephew, with the instructions to never contact him again. While staying at the estate of Bly, the governess sees two ghosts and claims that they are corrupting the children. Based on the governess’ indication of stress, desire to impress the uncle, paired with the governess’ sexual desire, and lack of confirmation of the ghosts by other members of Bly, it appears that the governess has gone insane; and
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In addition, we also discover that she is the youngest of several daughters,and that this is her first time away from home. As a result of being isolated in the country, and surrounded only by her sisters, her social skills were underdeveloped. She also lacked the experience, and the wisdom to deal with children, and the responsibility of running a household. After she is hired as the governess, and is in charge of the household of Bly, the change in atmosphere from that she has known her whole life came as a shock. This new version of her life “..was a vision of serious duties and little company, of really great loneliness.” (James 5). Suddenly, the governess had to take care of two children, watch over multiple staff members of the household, impress the uncle who had hired her, and to prove to her family members that she could be successful.In like manner, scientific studies have shown that, the Broca's area of the brain often shuts down under extreme stress, resulting in a chaotic wordless jumble of physical sensations or sensory images that can re-emerge as hallucinations during stressful situations. Therefore, the stress from her new role as head of the household, combined with the loneliness of her duties, the ghosts could easily be hallucinations of the governess’ mind. Due to the governess’ lack of social interaction, and great amount of inexperience; she becomes easily …show more content…
Upon meeting the uncle, she had discovered that he was handsome and kind. This boosted the appeal of the uncle, and allowed for her to succumb to “the seduction exercised by the splendid young man” (James 6). In a state of lust, the governess accepted the position. However, the governess discovered that she would not be able to contact the uncle again. In her mind, perhaps if she had saved the children from a tragedy; the uncle would be in such a debt of gratitude, that he would come to Bly and thank the governess himself. Then the governess would be able to see the uncle again, and they would be able to live happily ever after. In desperation to attract the uncle, the governess created the ghosts in her mind. Therefore, she could heroically save the children, and win affection from the
In addition, we also discover that she is the youngest of several daughters,and that this is her first time away from home. As a result of being isolated in the country, and surrounded only by her sisters, her social skills were underdeveloped. She also lacked the experience, and the wisdom to deal with children, and the responsibility of running a household. After she is hired as the governess, and is in charge of the household of Bly, the change in atmosphere from that she has known her whole life came as a shock. This new version of her life “..was a vision of serious duties and little company, of really great loneliness.” (James 5). Suddenly, the governess had to take care of two children, watch over multiple staff members of the household, impress the uncle who had hired her, and to prove to her family members that she could be successful.In like manner, scientific studies have shown that, the Broca's area of the brain often shuts down under extreme stress, resulting in a chaotic wordless jumble of physical sensations or sensory images that can re-emerge as hallucinations during stressful situations. Therefore, the stress from her new role as head of the household, combined with the loneliness of her duties, the ghosts could easily be hallucinations of the governess’ mind. Due to the governess’ lack of social interaction, and great amount of inexperience; she becomes easily …show more content…
Upon meeting the uncle, she had discovered that he was handsome and kind. This boosted the appeal of the uncle, and allowed for her to succumb to “the seduction exercised by the splendid young man” (James 6). In a state of lust, the governess accepted the position. However, the governess discovered that she would not be able to contact the uncle again. In her mind, perhaps if she had saved the children from a tragedy; the uncle would be in such a debt of gratitude, that he would come to Bly and thank the governess himself. Then the governess would be able to see the uncle again, and they would be able to live happily ever after. In desperation to attract the uncle, the governess created the ghosts in her mind. Therefore, she could heroically save the children, and win affection from the