The Turn Of The Screw Analysis

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Recommended: Upper class in the Victorian era

The Victorian era of Great Britain marked the period where class hierarchy was most apparent. For the people in this time period, the quality of their everyday life depended on their social class. Different social classes were recognized by inequalities in areas of power, wealth, working and living conditions, education, religion and culture. The aristocrats maintained control over the political, economic and social systems that were operating in Britain. The commoners on the other hand, were left to scrape off the wastes and residues deposited by the elites. The noble believed that they earned the right by birth to dominate and be worshipped. The upper classes grew decadent, reveling in flamboyance and unlimited possession, focusing too much …show more content…

The governess’ quest for ultimate possession of the children leads to her confrontation of the “ghosts” of Miss Jessel and Peter Quint. The governess’ first encounter with Peter Quint portrays the apparent clout of Peter Quint. He “stood high up … and the very top of the tower” (310) while she stares at him from below. Peter Quint’s fixation on the governess represents a threat to the governess’ subjective position over Bly. However, as the story progresses, the author indicates the switch in power possession from Quint to the governess. In her third encounter with Quint, the governess was at the top of the stairs while Peter Quint was “halfway up the stairs” (341) attempting to reach the top. This scene symbolizes Peter Quint’s effort to reclaim his control over the children and his failure in accomplishing his goal, which was due to the governess’ attestation of strength, confidence and …show more content…

Peter Quint and the governess simply had authority over a house with two innocent children and they wreaked havoc upon the entire household. It would therefore be chaotic if this group of “lower class” had supreme power over the political, social and economic system of England. He proves that the customs of the Victorian era social class and authority should be maintained in the hands of the elites, who as a result of their birthrights to rule, possess the innate skills and knowledge needed to uphold a peaceful and orderly

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