The Turn of the Screw Henry James

Life of Henry James (1843-1916) Studied as part of American Literature although he lived and wrote mainly in England

Early Years Second of five siblings Born in New York city to Irish immigrant parents Educated in schools and by private tutors Influenced by famous friends: Margaret Fuller, Washington Irving, William Makepeace Thackeray, and George Ripley

Defining Moments In 1855 the James family spent three years in Geneva, London, and Paris This affected Henry’s decision to live and write in Europe during his adult years The family moved to Cambridge when they returned from Europe Again near prominent writers of the time: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Bronson Alcott.

Henry James the Author Wrote twenty novels and over one hundred short stories and novellas Also wrote criticisms, play, and reviews More than any other American writer

Early Works Published first novel at age twenty-one Showed an interest in ghost and supernatural tales Most famous literary works include The Europeans, Daisy Miller, Washington Square, The Bostonians, and The Turn of the Screw

The Turn of the Screw Written in 1897 Published in installments between January and April 1898 The most widely read of all of James’s works of fiction

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

Characters The governess: The governess is the primary narrator and central character in The Turn of the Screw. She is twenty years old. Mrs. Grose: The housekeeper at Bly. Flora: Eight years old, Flora is the niece of Bly's owner. She is blond and beautiful, capable of playing music and reciting poems, and a very friendly, docile child. The narrator first finds her angelic but later believes that at times Miles: Ten years old, Miles is away at school when the governess arrives at Bly. She finds him to be just as angelic and beautiful as his sister and says that he possesses a gentleness.

Characters The gentleman in Harley Street: Also referred to as the master and the uncle, he is the owner of Bly and the uncle of Flora and Miles, whose parents died in India. Peter Quint: Quint was the gentleman in Harley Street's valet. Because he was ill, he was left in charge at Bly. Miss Jessel: Miss Jessel was the children's former governess. Douglas: Douglas owns the manuscript which comprises the majority of the book and introduces the story of the governess in the book's prologue.

Frame Story A narrative structure containing or connecting a series of otherwise unrelated tales. A story that is used as a surrounding structure, or frame, for a number of other stories. A story within a story

Examples of Frame Story Forrest Gump The Odyssey

Why a Ghost Story? His father had been fascinated by the various forms of spiritualism and possession by spirits. His brother William was an active researcher of spiritual phenomena. Public obsession with supernatural Cambridge Ghost Club (1851) Trinity College

Composition of the Story James wrote this story for publication in installments in a popular weekly magazine, Collier’s. The prologue and twenty-four continuously numbered chapters were printed 1908 New York edition is most common for use Not written, but typed by a secretary on the newly popularized typewriter In this sense it is an oral tale told very much in the tradition of the ghost story recounted in front of the fire of a Christmas evening Finished in December of 1897 and appeared January-April of 1898

Legacy Henry James’s most widely read—and most controversial—piece of fiction. According to Yale professor William Lyon Phelps: James is “the best example of the psychological realist that we have in American literature” and The Turn of the Screw “the most powerful, the most nerve-shattering ghost story I have ever read…”