The Turn of the ScrewThe Turn of the Screw

Henry JamesHenry James

Life of Henry JamesLife of Henry James (1843-1916)(1843-1916) Studied as part of Studied as part of

American American Literature although Literature although he lived and wrote he lived and wrote mainly in Englandmainly in England

Early YearsEarly Years Second of five siblingsSecond of five siblings Born in New York city to Irish immigrant Born in New York city to Irish immigrant

parentsparents Educated in schools and by private tutorsEducated in schools and by private tutors Influenced by famous friends: Margaret Influenced by famous friends: Margaret

Fuller, Washington Irving, William Fuller, Washington Irving, William Makepeace Thackeray, and George Makepeace Thackeray, and George RipleyRipley

Defining MomentsDefining Moments In 1855 the James family In 1855 the James family

spent three years in Geneva, spent three years in Geneva, London, and ParisLondon, and Paris

This affected Henry’s This affected Henry’s decision to live and write in decision to live and write in Europe during his adult Europe during his adult yearsyears

The family moved to The family moved to Cambridge when they Cambridge when they returned from Europe returned from Europe

Again near prominent writers Again near prominent writers of the time: Ralph Waldo of the time: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Bronson Alcott.Thoreau, and Bronson Alcott.

Henry James the AuthorHenry James the Author Wrote twenty novels Wrote twenty novels

and over one and over one hundred short stories hundred short stories and novellasand novellas

Also wrote criticisms, Also wrote criticisms, play, and reviewsplay, and reviews

More than any other More than any other American writerAmerican writer

Early WorksEarly Works Published first novel at Published first novel at

age twenty-oneage twenty-one Showed an interest in Showed an interest in

ghost and supernatural ghost and supernatural talestales

Most famous literary Most famous literary works include works include The The Europeans, Daisy Europeans, Daisy Miller, Washington Miller, Washington Square, The Square, The Bostonians, and The Bostonians, and The Turn of the ScrewTurn of the Screw

The Turn of the ScrewThe Turn of the Screw

Written in 1897Written in 1897 Published in Published in

installments installments between January between January and April 1898and April 1898

The most widely The most widely read of all of read of all of James’s works of James’s works of fictionfiction

PlotPlot In an old house on a Christmas Eve, the subject of In an old house on a Christmas Eve, the subject of

ghosts is brought up. A man named Douglas tells of ghosts is brought up. A man named Douglas tells of his sister’s governess, who had reported seeing his sister’s governess, who had reported seeing apparitions some years ago; in fact, she had apparitions some years ago; in fact, she had recorded her experience in a manuscript that he recorded her experience in a manuscript that he promises to send for. Upon further questioning, it is promises to send for. Upon further questioning, it is learned that the governess was hired to take care of learned that the governess was hired to take care of two young pupils who had been left under the care two young pupils who had been left under the care of an uncle. When this man hired the governess, he of an uncle. When this man hired the governess, he gave her implicit instructions that she was to cope gave her implicit instructions that she was to cope with any problem and never bother him.with any problem and never bother him.

CharactersCharacters The governess:The governess: The governess is the primary narrator The governess is the primary narrator

and central character in and central character in The Turn of the ScrewThe Turn of the Screw. She is . She is twenty years old. twenty years old.

Mrs. Grose:Mrs. Grose: The housekeeper at Bly. The housekeeper at Bly. Flora:Flora: Eight years old, Flora is the niece of Bly's owner. Eight years old, Flora is the niece of Bly's owner.

She is blond and beautiful, capable of playing music and She is blond and beautiful, capable of playing music and reciting poems, and a very friendly, docile child. The reciting poems, and a very friendly, docile child. The narrator first finds her angelic but later believes that at narrator first finds her angelic but later believes that at times times

Miles:Miles: Ten years old, Miles is away at school when the Ten years old, Miles is away at school when the governess arrives at Bly. She finds him to be just as governess arrives at Bly. She finds him to be just as angelic and beautiful as his sister and says that he angelic and beautiful as his sister and says that he possesses a gentleness.possesses a gentleness.

CharactersCharacters The gentleman in Harley Street:The gentleman in Harley Street: Also referred to Also referred to

as the master and the uncle, he is the owner of Bly as the master and the uncle, he is the owner of Bly and the uncle of Flora and Miles, whose parents died and the uncle of Flora and Miles, whose parents died in India.in India.

Peter Quint:Peter Quint: Quint was the gentleman in Harley Quint was the gentleman in Harley Street's valet. Because he was ill, he was left in Street's valet. Because he was ill, he was left in charge at Bly.charge at Bly.

Miss Jessel:Miss Jessel: Miss Jessel was the children's former Miss Jessel was the children's former governess.governess.

Douglas:Douglas: Douglas owns the manuscript which Douglas owns the manuscript which comprises the majority of the book and introduces comprises the majority of the book and introduces the story of the governess in the book's prologue.the story of the governess in the book's prologue.

Frame StoryFrame Story A narrative structure containing or A narrative structure containing or

connecting a series of otherwise connecting a series of otherwise unrelated tales.unrelated tales.

A story that is used as a surrounding A story that is used as a surrounding structure, or frame, for a number of structure, or frame, for a number of other stories. other stories.

A story within a story A story within a story

Examples of Frame StoryExamples of Frame Story Forrest GumpForrest Gump The OdysseyThe Odyssey

Why a Ghost Story? Why a Ghost Story? His father had been fascinated by the His father had been fascinated by the

various forms of spiritualism and various forms of spiritualism and possession by spirits. His brother possession by spirits. His brother William was an active researcher of William was an active researcher of spiritual phenomena. spiritual phenomena.

Public obsession with supernaturalPublic obsession with supernatural Cambridge Ghost Club (1851) Trinity Cambridge Ghost Club (1851) Trinity

CollegeCollege

Composition of the StoryComposition of the Story James wrote this story for publication in installments James wrote this story for publication in installments

in a popular weekly magazine, in a popular weekly magazine, Collier’sCollier’s. . The prologue and twenty-four continuously The prologue and twenty-four continuously

numbered chapters were printednumbered chapters were printed 1908 New York edition is most common for use1908 New York edition is most common for use Not written, but typed by a secretary on the newly Not written, but typed by a secretary on the newly

popularized typewriterpopularized typewriter In this sense it is an oral tale told very much in the In this sense it is an oral tale told very much in the

tradition of the ghost story recounted in front of the tradition of the ghost story recounted in front of the fire of a Christmas eveningfire of a Christmas evening

Finished in December of 1897 and appeared Finished in December of 1897 and appeared January-April of 1898January-April of 1898

LegacyLegacy Henry James’s most widely Henry James’s most widely

read—and most read—and most controversial—piece of controversial—piece of fiction.fiction.

According to Yale professor According to Yale professor William Lyon Phelps: James William Lyon Phelps: James is “the best example of the is “the best example of the psychological realist that psychological realist that we have in American we have in American literature” and literature” and The Turn of The Turn of the Screwthe Screw “the most “the most powerful, the most nerve-powerful, the most nerve-shattering ghost story I shattering ghost story I have ever read…”have ever read…”