The Turn of the Screw III
Henri James

1.  Chp. XVII ?  Why does the governess go listen at Miles’s door?  What does she  try to get Miles to talk about?  What different things does Miles say he wants?  What question precedes the blast of cold air?  How might you explain that blast? How might you explain Miles response that he (not the wind) blew out the candle?  Give, if you can, two answers to the last two questions:  one that presupposes the existence of supernatural forces, the other that attributes the events to the governess’s imagination.

2.  Chp. XVIII-XIX  In chapter XVIII the Governess gives two explanations of why Miles is being so perfectly a gentleman with her, one after the other.   If Miles is being sincere, how might you interpret the Governess’s sudden conclusion that Miles has manipulated her so that he can be with Quint and Flora with Miss Jessel?  What desires seem to be motivating her words?   If Miles and Flora are manipulating her so that they can visit Quint and Jessel, why might they be doing so, according to the Governess? 

3.  Chapter XX  83 How do the events of this chapter affect Mrs. Grose, Flora, and the governess?  Who does the governess blame for these events?   Why?

4. Chapter XXI On p 74, the governess sees the “poison of an influence” on the children.  What seems to be poisoning Flora’s mind and health here?  On p. 56 the governess says that Quint and Jessel wish to destroy the children.  Who seems to be destroying them here?  Do Mrs. Grose’s revelations tend to support the governess or condemn her?  And the governess’s plans to send Grose and Flora away?  Explain.

5.  Chapter XXII-XXIII What does the governess plan to do with Miles when Mrs. Grose and Flora are away?  What words during her talk with Miles suggest that he is in cahoots with Quint?  Which support the notion that he is innocent?  Which could go both ways?  What effect is her interrogation of Miles having on him?  Explain.

6.  Chapter XXIX  After she asks Miles whether he took the letter, she sees Quint in the window, jumps up and grasps him  so he cannot see Quint.   What possible reasons can one give for her grasping Miles?  How do you explain the governess’s joy of triumph several times in this final chapter?  Who does she think she is triumphing over? Why does Miles pull away from the governess?  What possible explanations do you have for Miles mention of Miss Jessel?  Who is he calling the devil when he says “Quint—you devil”?   What are the possible causes of his death?  In this death does Quint or the governess triumph.   Explain.   Does the governess ever seriously consider that the ghosts might be in her imagination?  Explain.  Is the ending fantastic, or can we choose one explanation or the other?  Explain.

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