Henry James’ the Turn of the Screw ‘the Governess Is Both Too Frightened and Too Vulnerable to Tell Her Story Reliably” How Far and in What Ways Do You Agree with This Comment on the Role of the Governess in the Turn of the Screw?

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Due to the nonexistence of a higher authority or family member at Bly, the governess in the Turn of the Screw by virtue of Victorian society was the primary caretaker of the children and the household. The information the prologue provides about the governess depicts the predisposition that she could be vulnerable as she is a “flattered anxious girl … With no previous experience”. However, she may be in awe of Harley Street and the grand estate of Bly, overwhelmed by her surroundings, she may not necessarily be too frightened to tell her story reliably. James’s style of writing in the novella creates room for the readers to view the governess as frightened and vulnerable whilst on the other hand certain and confident. The governess’s adoration of the uncle after visiting him at Harley Street and her belief that he needed her reflects the governess’s naivety. Being a poor Parson’s daughter from a Hampshire vicarage, it is likely that she had never been to the city of London before; also she is described as “young, afraid and nervous”. This creates a sense of vulnerability as she lacks exposure hence the slightest of things may tend to amaze her. As prior ladies that were interviewed for the job rejected it on the basis of the condition that they would have no contact with the outside world, the governess accepted the job and already felt rewarded after the uncle held her hand. This “fluttered anxious” Parson’s daughter lacking experience also tends to be vulnerable as she fails to have the necessary prowess to deal with matters. For example, the expulsion of Miles from school - the governess had to revert to consulting Mrs Grose, thsssssse and educated housekeeper as she perhaps lacked the experience to deal with such matters. The governess is also excessively assertive in her description of Flora “a vision of whose angelic beauty” which reflects that she may also

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