Greetings, today we are examining James Henry’s The Turn of the Screw chapters 6-10. At the midway point now, everything begins to ramp up, from hauntings to unforeseen truths.
Chapters 6-7
In these chapters, we find that the governess is investigating a mystery. The mystery involves one Peter Quint. This Quint character happens to be looking for Miles, but the children have been strangely silent on the subject. The governess’s relationship with the children becomes more peremptory as she seeks to uncover the reason behind the ghostly visitations. One day, while watching Flora, she takes note of a female visitor nearby who shares ghostly qualities.
Later, the governess confronts Mrs. Grose about the happenings. She accuses the children of knowing more than they let on. She also tells Mrs. Grose about the female ghost and also admits that she believes the ghost to be the previous (now deceased) governess. After some chatter about the subject, Mrs. Grose reveals that both Quint and Miss Jessel (the ghost) had a relationship outside of what is deemed right and proper.
Chapters 8-9
The governess is eventually able to convince Mrs. Grose about the ghostly visitations, however many issues arise from her prying. It is reveled that both Quint and Miss Jessel had an affair, and that Quint was a bad influence on Miles; likewise, Miss Jessel’s relationship with Flora could also be questioned. Such accusations are also levied at the children, as, according to the governess, they could be under the spell of ghosts. Regardless, their youthful naivete may also have covered up crimes of a sexual nature.
Bly continues on unabated, and the governess is ever vigilant about keeping the children safe, and without ghostly molestation. The governess finds herself and the children growing closer to each other. However, due to the nature of the spiritual accusations, she is unsure of veracity of this relationship. One night, while reading, the governess hears something odd, and she leaves the room to investigate. She finds the ghost of Quint who eventually disappears.
Chapter 10
It is soon discovered that Flora is no longer in her bed but is behind her window blinds. Flora comes out and is seemingly terrified due to the governess’s absence. Both characters are irate about the other’s actions. Later, the governess finds the ghost of Miss Jessel who promptly disappears. Keeping tabs on Flora, the governess attempts to see what the child sees at night and finds a window with a similar view, only to find Miles out on the lawn.
Analysis
These chapters ramp up the ghostly visitation. The governess also becomes more adept at gathering information. Though, from her own admission, she seems to be self-involved in the case, going off of ghostly apparitions as her main body of evidence, and her love for the children. Seeing each of the children in precarious spots is heartbreaking and confusing for her, but she strives to understand the truth.
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