(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

Henry James - The Turn Of The Screw

.
             2. Limited perspectives.
             2.1. Subjectivity and the one-sided flow of information.
             The Turn of The Screw is told from a strictly subjective perspective. Henry James' work of cold artistic calculation starts with a prologue in which the reader is convinced of the innocence and good-naturedness of the young governess and her flawless character. It aims to provide the reader with trustworthy background information about the governess and all other characters in the story. This is done by the character of Douglass, a man who procured the original manuscript of the story and whom the other characters themselves note, must have been in love with the governess or at least have been in a closer relationship. Douglass is the only source of information for the little group of listeners as he is the only one familiar with the content of the story. The manuscript contains the notes and accounts of the governess who functions as the real storyteller. She is the only witness and source of information for Douglass. .
             This one-sided flow of information from the governess through the manuscript to Douglass is perhaps the most important foundation of later ambiguities in the story.
             First, he has to rely on the reports of the governess since she is the only available observer. He corresponds to the need of his listeners to present the story in a gruesome manner and combines his personal experiences and memories with the information of the manuscript. Douglass creates the image of a benevolent, inexperienced beautiful young woman and tries to convince the listeners by describing her as a charming, most agreeable person.
             But because of the emotional connection between Douglass and the governess one cannot absolutely be certain either about the innocence of the governess nor about any other "fact- presented in the story. .
             In utilizing a character like Douglass who lets one look through his looking glass, real facts become difficult to obtain.


Essays Related to Henry James - The Turn Of The Screw

1. Henry James - The Turn of The Screw

Henry James's - The Turn of the Screw From the moment of its publication, The Turn of the Screw has continuously been a challenge both for the common reading and for criticism. ... Moreover, having a journalistic training, Henry James was preoccupied by the detail as a notion. In The Turn of the Screw the details are the prevailing elements. ... The age in which Henry James wrote is significant. ... Being written at the turn of the 19th century, The Turn of the Screw displays the deviation from the norm. ...

  • Word Count: 2120
  • Approx Pages: 8

2. The Turn of the Screw - Psychological Perspective

Henry James was one of the famous writers during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. ... One of James' novels, "Turn of the Screw" (1898), has caused a lot of controversy among many critics, and each of them has had a particular interpretation. ... In the Henry James novella, "The Turn of the Screw," I believe it is the psychological implications of the story that has been illustrated by Sigmund Freud who wrote about it in The Interpretation of. ... Henry James skillfully has his readers integrated into his story. ... Unexpected incidents in "The Turn of the Screw" attract the a...

  • Word Count: 2947
  • Approx Pages: 12
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

3. COMPARISON OF THE TURN OF THE SCREW AND THE INNOCENTS

HENRY JAMES' NOVEL THE TURN OF THE SCREW IS A TALE OF MYSTERY AND TERROR. ... THE MOVIE THE INNOCENTS PORTRAYS THE GENERAL PLOT OF JAMES' THE TURN OF THE SCREW. ... JAMES DESCRIBES MILES TO BE SWEATING AND BREATHING HARD. ...

  • Word Count: 281
  • Approx Pages: 1
  • Grade Level: High School

4. The Turn Of The Screw By Henry James

The Turn of the Screw by Henry James can be interpreted in many different ways. James, in writing his story, seemed to be purposely leaving the actual interpretation of the story up to the reader. ... In The Turn of the Screw, the children are corruptive in a different way because they are under the influence of ghosts rather than being ghosts themselves, but the idea of corruption in a child is the same. ... The issues that come up in Henry James" The Turn of the Screw are not very far fetched if seen in the right context. ...

  • Word Count: 1267
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

5. Turn of the Screw, The-Construction of story

The Construction of "The Turn of the Screw- by Henry James is very purposeful because it works to keep the reader engaged and curious about what will happen in the story. ... Henry James organized his book in a usual way that revealed an overall theme in the end. ... James organized his book in a basic way, but added suspense to the equation. ... James' construction harmonized with the character and themes. ... Yet, she turns opinionated and selfish because she doubts the innocence of the children and does not speak with her employer about the problems on the estate. ...

  • Word Count: 1172
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Has Bibliography

6. Turn Of The Screw

The book, The Turn of the Screw written by Henry James, is about a young woman taking on the position of governess to two orphaned children. ... As if the author, Henry James, wants to reconfirm that the governess sees the ghosts, Mrs. ... I took the movie, The Turn of the Screw, as one of the critiques that the producer shows the ghosts of Peter Quint and Miss. ... James's ambiguous writing makes huge debate. ... In the letter from James to Dr. ...

  • Word Count: 2209
  • Approx Pages: 9
  • Grade Level: High School

7. Henry James

James was born in New York City, His dad was also named Henry James. ... The year Henry James turned twelve years old his family moved to Switzerland and later to France and Germany. ... Henry James was a lot favorites to people like example, Author James Thurbers favorite author was Henry James. ... James was also a master at fiction that's what he is known for too his novel "The Turn Of The Screw"(1898) an excellent book that is fiction. ... In conclusion, I was thrilled to learn about Henry James the best writer in the world. ...

  • Word Count: 847
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

8. The Turn of the Screw and The Sandman

The main similarity between "The Turn of the Screw," by Henry James, and "The Sandman," by E.T.A. ... The governess in "The Turn of the Screw" starts off loving her job and the kids she tends to, until she begins to see, what she believes, are ghosts. ... The governess in "The Turn of the Screw" can be perceived two different ways: either completely trusted, or thought to be a crazy person. ... "The Turn of the Screw" begins with the narrator describing how "Douglas" has a very eerie story about a ghost that visits two children. ... The ending of "The Turn of the Screw" is something incredibly...

  • Word Count: 1043
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Has Bibliography

9. Henry James-Life and Work

Born the second son to wooden-legged Henry James Sr. ... Henry Sr. was born to a very controlling William James in 1811. ... After his return home in 1871, Henry James wrote his first novel, Watch and Ward. ... After the death of their father, Henry James stopped using "Jr."" ... In 1897, The Spoils of Poynton and What Maisie Knew were published, and The Turn of The Screw was written (343)...

  • Word Count: 1536
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Grade Level: High School

Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question