“It is a tale where sinister and spectral powers are shown spoiling and daunting the innocence of the youth” (Elton 176). Sex. Today, it is a common subject with apps such as “Tinder” and “Grindr”, along with sex symbols always being in the spotlight of the media. Children grow up idolizing these symbols when not long ago, celebrities such as The Kardashians, would not have been as widely accepted, especially not in late 19th century Britain. Sex was a hushed topic and was more defined as a “marital debt”; in other words, sex was solely for having children, not for pleasure. The concept of intimacy only applied to a man and woman. Homosexuality was rejected by society, with imprisonment and/or death as punishment. Because of this refusal to …show more content…
The ghost story was described as the “author’s most puzzling and controversial work” (Curtis n.pag). Scholars have provided two theories based on the symbols presented in this “controversial work”. One being male homsexualtiy and how Britian’s laws were extreme, making them ultimately the reason of the young boy[in The Turn of the Screw], Miles’ death. The other theory reflecting the Garden of Eden, providing other biblical elements, and how acting on urges of sexuality are the evil in all. The Turn of the Screw, by Henry James, displays Britain’s repression of sexual knowledge through exploiting the corruption of innocence. Nations are supposed do what they believe is best for the people and what will provide a better future for the youth to get the nation running …show more content…
Due to this sexual repression, sexuilaity of any forms was shunned upon. James took the bold risk to write his first ever ghost story to show how the repression can “haunt” one's soul, showing the evil in all, “They have their origin within us” (Woolf 179). The ghosts, however, were the symbols of two different things: suppression of homosexuality and the Devil on the path to destroy purity. Both were seen to be apart of the corruption of the youth, wrecking any form of innocence. They represent the horror that is in as all, “--the struggle of evil to possess the human soul”(Heilman
Judith R. Walkowitz is a Professor Emeritus at John Hopkins University, specializing in modern British history and women’s history. In her book City of Dreadful Delight, she explores nineteenth century England’s development of sexual politics and danger by examining the hype of Jack the Ripper and other tales of sensational nature. By investigating social and cultural history she reveals the complexity of sexuality, and its influence on the public sphere and vice versa. Victorian London had upheld traditional notions of class and gender, that is until they were challenged by forces of different institutions.
At the beginning of the 1900s, there was a “sexual revolution” in New York City. During this time, sexual acts and desires were not hidden, but instead they were openl...
When the authors begin to discuss these children as being sexual individuals it make its somewhat difficult to read as in society we often view children as innocent, vulnerable and in need of protection from adults. However the authors make it clear that children are not asexual, they do experience arousal and engage in sexual practices. This from of adult understanding still remains taboo in s...
Written in 1818, the latter stages of the Gothic literature movement, at face value this novel embodies all the key characteristics of the Gothic genre. It features the supernatural, ghosts and an atmosphere of horror and mystery. However a closer reading of the novel presents a multifaceted tale that explores
The 19th-Century was a period in which the expression of sexuality and sexual compulsion was firmly repressed. Charles E. Rosenberg explores the typical behaviors of the sexes, and how they related to the expression, or repression, of sexuality in “Sexuality, Class and Role in 19th-Century America.” Medical and biological literature tended to adopt very sex-negative attitudes, condemning sexual desires and activity. This literature was often ambivalent and self-contradicting. Initially, people viewed sex as a normal human behavior: they believed sexual excess was bad, but thought it was natural and necessary after puberty because horniness left unsatisfied and untreated could cause disease. However, in the 1830s, the previous sex-neutral attitude was quickly replaced by a harsher, more negative view of sexuality. “Quacks,” or charlatans, tried to instill people with a crippling fear of sex by warning them of
A querying of normative gender behaviour and sexuality pervades the 19th century gothic fiction text. What does this reveal about the cultural context within the tale exists?
The most shocking and upsetting chapter of the novel is "Fatal Consequences" which by all accounts was a terrifying experience for the audience listening and reading. At that t... ... middle of paper ... ... Christmas Carol. " The Victorians believe in ghosts, Sikes imagination makes him more terrified and believes Nancyis a ghost.
Traister, Rebecca. A. "Fathers Should Not Exploit Their Daughters' Sexuality." Is Childhood Becoming Too Sexualized? Olivia Ferguson and Hayley Mitchell Haugen. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010.
This notion leaves homosexual implications, an aspect often explored throughout Gothic literature, strongly reflective of the homophobia that was existent across Europe, the word ‘homosexual’ being introduced during the period of gothic literature. Dr Jekyll though normally perceived as a character supressing violent urges, could be one also supressing homosexual urges. Texts such as Stevenson’s Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde expressing homosexuality weren’t uncommon in Gothic Literature largely due to the repressive nature of Catholic Europe through
In 1885, the law that prohibited homosexuality existed as the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1885. This law mainly protected women and young girls from being sold for prostitution against their consent. Even though the law protected women, which was a beneficial idea, one section prohibited homosexuality. This section of the law caused the downfall
The earliest western documents depicting homosexuality came from ancient Greece and Rome where same sex relationships were a societal norm and very common. These relationships did not replace marriage between a man and a woman; rather, they occurred before and alongside marriage. They were based on emotional connections or physical attractions and valued as a means of population control (The Homosexual Theme, 2005). Shortly after, beautiful odes began to be written in Persia and Arab lands to wine boys who served men in taverns and shared their beds in the evening.
Henry James’ 19th century gothic novella ‘The Turn of the Screw’ explores the exploitation and violation of boundaries between social classes and the governess’s struggle for power through a Marxist lens. James tells the thrilling ghost story and tale of morbid psychology using Marxist themes and troubles of social status. When searching for Marxist ideologies in the novella, one must first analyse why the story was written. Published in Collier’s Weekly newspaper, ‘The Turn of the Screw’ was written over a period of twelve weeks between January and April 1898 at a time where stories of monsters and ghosts were popular in England and America. An increasingly common idea in the late Victorian era, James along with many other authors used this
At the same time, women were repressed in their sexual feelings and were subject to their husband’s demands. If an unmarried woman had sexual relations, she would be dishonored, thrown into exile or even killed. Horrible experiments sought often to find ways of getting rid of any pleasure women would experience during intercourse.
Henry James's Turn of the Screw was written in a time when open sexuality was looked down upon. On the surface, the story is simply about a governess taking care of two children who are haunted by two ghosts. However, the subtext of the story is about the governess focusing on the children's innocence, and the governess trying to find her own sexual identity. Priscilla L. Walton wrote a gender criticism themed essay about the Turn of the Screw, which retells certain parts of the story and touches on the significance they provide for the sexually explicit theme. Walton's essay is accurate because James purposely put an undertone of sexuality and identity confusion in the Turn of the Screw.
“The media may be especially important for young people as they are developing their own sexual beliefs and patterns of behavior and as parents and schools remain reluctant to discuss sexual topics (p.26)”.