Who Is The Anti-Heroine In Turn Of The Screw

A Series of Unfortunate Events

Throughout the topics in literature, Turn of the Screw by Henry James is usually the most discussed. James had written this novel as merely a conventional ghost story, although many theses can be interpreted. One that sticks out the most is that the governess was, in fact, an insane anti-heroine. The only evil delusions that inhabit Bly are those in the corrupted governess’ mind. The governess is obsessive, self-righteous, and self-serving. The ghosts that she perceived were not there to prey on the children, Flora and Miles. The governess creates a supernatural battle to show her own worth, to herself and her employer. This was done by showing her attempts to save the children’s souls from the ghosts, Miss Jessel

Unintentionally, this shows the governess’ true character. She is hardly sympathetic. Henry James says she is a young woman who is concerned, over-dramatic, snobbish, and trapped in her obsession over her employer. Upon arriving at Bly, she begins to take over the household and after meeting Flora, she pompously exclaims, “I felt quite sure she would presently like me. It was part of what I already liked Mrs. Grose herself for, the pleasure I could see her feel in my admiration and wonder” (2). The self-obsessed governess takes advantage of her elevated position that to her it seems only right that she reins the lives of the children. She becomes caught up in the fathomed idea that she is to be responsible for Flora and Miles. Later, after she envisions the evil spirits, the governess believes she is the one who is solely able to save the children from the spirits’ intentions. In point of fact, by saving them, she asserts the image of her responsibility that she has placed upon herself.

The fact that the governess is able to take Mrs. Grose completely into confidence has less to do with the governess than it does Mrs. Grose. The evidence the governess introduces to Mrs. Grose is not persuasive, however Mrs. Grose is an illiterate woman who’s deeply invested in Miles and Flora. In general, she's an uncomplicated, caring, unquestioning woman; that the Governess uses her both as a confidante and an informational tool,

"Dear little Miles, dear little Miles, if you knew how I want to help you! It's only that, it's nothing but that, and I'd rather die than give you a pain or do you a wrong – I'd rather die than hurt a hair of you. Dear little Miles" – oh, I brought it out now even if I should go too far – "I just want you to help me to save you!" But I knew in a moment after this that I had gone too far. (4)

The governess is acting possessive over the children. They, in turn, find her bizarre and delusional; this causes them to try to make effort in finding ways to escape the governess. "Take me away, take me away—oh, take me away from her!" (5). Flora admitted to not seeing any of the apparitions that the governess was accusing her of knowing. This led to Flora leaving Bly to stay with her uncle. In the attempt of pleasing her employer and finding worth in her, the governess is unable to control her impulses. In the end of it, she drives herself and everyone around her