Turn Of The Screw Marxist Analysis

Karl Marx, being primarily concerned with capitalism, had many different philosophical approaches. For example, Marx focused on the different social classes and the interaction between them. In reality, there are many conflicts that occur within societies due to the nature of their economic standpoint. Henry James’ novella Turn of the Screw, exemplifies how the different social statuses affect the characters in the story. Although James did not intend to write this story from a Marxism standpoint, there are many instances that show the conflicting social classes throughout the story. In The Turn of the Screw by Henry James, he demonstrates the tension between the working class and the higher class to show how the obsession to gain a higher …show more content…
First impressions have an effect over the Governess, for the first time she sees Peter Quint she associates him with a higher status then he really is. Not knowing exactly who she saw in front of her, the governess describes Quint as “a sort of sense of looking like an actor” (James, 23). She associated actor to him because of the way he dressed; an actor is someone of high class which leads to having a great fortune. Later on, the governess denies thinking that this man was a gentleman when Mrs. Grose asks her, hence when Mrs. Grose questions: “but if he isn't a gentleman?” the Governess replies with then “he’s a horror” (James, 22). Now that the governess does not think that he is someone of high class, he is associated with that he is a horror. The first impression changed her perception, but when she realized who he really is that was all lost. Indeed, this is an instance where no matter the clothes that are worn it is impossible to climb up the social ladder. Peter Quint was a lower class worker, and by trying to dress up like a gentleman he thought that he could gain a higher status. Learning more about Peter Quint shocked the governess. The more she knew, the more she disagreed with what happened. She even took somethings personally, such as when Mrs. Grose mentions how free Quint was; the governess says “too free with my boy?” Mrs. Grose answers “too free with everyone” (James, 26). The governess’ expression towards Miles is shown as she calls him ‘my boy’. She not only wants to protect them, but have them for herself. This selfishness ensures her to be close with the children in order to gain more social class. By having Peter Quint be with Miles means that she may lose him, and lose her connection to him. Mrs. Grose’s answer of Quint being free with everyone has a negative connotation. It can be assumed that Peter had many inappropriate relationship, such as with Miss