Topics for Further Study
In The Turn of the Screw, Miles meets his end, seemingly due to terror. Investigate the documented causes of heart failure in young children and evaluate whether it is plausible for Miles to die in such a manner. Use examples from both the novel and your research to substantiate your arguments.
The governess in the novel perceives the ghosts, despite their human appearance, as malevolent entities intent on capturing the children's souls. Examine the perspectives on ghosts during the nineteenth century in both societal beliefs and literature. Discuss how the governess's convictions align with or diverge from other nineteenth-century ghost stories.
The governess is attracted to her employer, a man of higher social standing, and she heavily emphasizes the forbidden relationship between the former governess, Miss Jessel, and Peter Quint, who is of a much lower class. Investigate the various class titles in England during the mid-1800s, ranging from royalty to the peasantry. Using your findings, create a hierarchical chart of these titles, providing a one-paragraph description for each.
Throughout the story, the governess assumes that the ghosts of Miss Jessel and Peter Quint are malevolent, and her perspective is the only one presented. Imagine yourself as either Jessel or Quint, and craft a brief plot summary that recounts the events from the ghost's perspective. You may choose to portray your ghost as evil, benevolent, sympathetic, or any other nature, as long as you can use the story's events to support your characterization.
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