The Major conflict in “The Turn of the Screw” was between the governess and the two ghosts, Peter Quint and Miss Jessel. The governess felt that the two ghosts were trying to sexually corrupt the two children under her care. The two children, however, could not perceive the ghosts and are totally oblivious to their attempts at corruption. Peter Quint was the main demeaning force through out the novel. He, while he was alive, had affairs with the Former Governess, Miss Jessel, and supposedly sexually abused Miles one of the adopted children. The conflict between the ghosts and the governess goes through three stages. The first was at the beginning of the novel, when the governess first finds out about the ghosts and decides to protect the children. The second is when she recognizes that Quints’ ghost represents the headmaster’s jealousy of Miles and the last was when she decides to separate the children from the ghosts. This conflict has many parallels to today’s society, the sexual frustration and the corruption of youth can be represents society’s effect on youth.
In the beginning the governess tries to explain to flora that she is being watched. That someone is following her and trying to corrupt her. The thing is that Flora cannot see Miss Jessel because she is a ghost. The governess is sure that Flora has some sort of idea that she is being corrupted. Also, Miles was being corrupted by Peter Quint another, ghost, by sexually molesting him or giving him sexual knowledge. During this phase the governess gets sexually frustrated and tries to use Miles to get rid of her frustration. An example from the book is that, she gets a hint that her desire for the absent master will be focused on Miles, the “little gentleman”. They allude to the fact that she is sexually frustrated.
The Essay on Hamlets Emotional State Before The Apperance Of The Ghost
Hamlets emotional state before the appearance of the ghost. The recent events in Denmark appear to have deeply troubled Hamlet. His first appearance in the play during scene two depicts a depressed and bitter young man. The text notes make special mention to Hamlets conspicuous black attire or in his words, inky cloak in an effort to suggest that he is still mourning the sudden death of his ...
Another conflict within the novel The Turn Of The Screw is between the governess and the headmaster. Earlier in Miles life the headmaster had reprimanded him for committing a malicious act. The governess felt that this judgment was fabricated due to the head masters jealousy of Miles perfection. This creates distrust between the governess and the headmaster; also it binds the governess and children closer. The ghost Quint represents the headmasters desire to condemn and mar Miles purity. An example for this action is “I don’t save them or shield them! It’s far worse then I dreaded—they’re lost.”
The climax of the novel occurs when the governess realizes that the ghosts have successfully corrupted the two children. The governess feels that all hope is lost and resorts to the separation of Miles and Flora. She assumes that this will successfully end the relationship between for Miles and Flora, and also discontinue the connection between the ghosts and the children. This decision eventually comes to a head when Miles violently struggles against the head master because of Quints presence.
In this novel the ghosts represents the attempt by society to corrupt children. The Governess in turn represents the parents protecting their children from the harsh reality of the world. The result of this struggle in both the novel and real life is that eventually the children grow up and learn either to deal with the ugliness of society or they succumb to its degrading effect.
