Jan 3, 2010

The Turn of the Screw | Characters

In his portrayal of the governess, James effectively uses the technique of leaving the reader in doubt by alternately suggesting interpretive directions and blurring their validity. For example, in the prologue Douglas vouches for her trustworthiness as a narrator, claiming that at the time he knew her she was the most charming and agreeable of women. However, since he admits to having been in love with her, he may be self-deceived about her character. In any case, to be charming at the age of forty is no guarantee that at the age of twenty she was rational and sensibly observant....