Bleak House · Chapter
A Turn of the Screw explained
Mrs.
What happens
Mrs. Bagnet and her husband visit George in his shooting gallery, concerned about a security for which George is responsible. George reveals he has received a troubling letter regarding the debt, and the Bagnets express their anxiety, especially for their children. After a tense but ultimately forgiving exchange, George and Mr. Bagnet set off to negotiate with Mr. Smallweed, while Mrs. Bagnet returns home.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Loyalty
Mrs. Bagnet's fierce protectiveness of her husband and children drives the emotional core of the chapter, while George's loyalty to his old comrade is tested.
Social Class and Inequality
The financial vulnerability of the Bagnets and George contrasts with the power of creditors like Smallweed, highlighting class-based economic pressures.
Appearance vs. Reality
George's outward military bearing and strength belie his financial helplessness and emotional distress.
Characters to notice
- Mr. George
Troubled by a letter about a security debt; feels guilty and offers to sell his possessions to make amends.
- Mrs. Bagnet
Visits George with her husband; initially angry and fearful for her family's security, but later forgives George.
- Matthew Bagnet
Accompanies his wife; speaks in a staccato manner, expressing his opinion through Mrs. Bagnet; loyal to his family.
- Phil Squod
Present in the shooting gallery; announces Mrs. Bagnet's arrival.
- Mr. Smallweed
The creditor with whom George and Mr. Bagnet plan to negotiate; mentioned as the 'enemy' in their errand.
- Judy Smallweed
Opens the door to George and Mr. Bagnet at Grandfather Smallweed's house; sneers at them.
Key passages
“If you have allowed anything wrong to come to that security of Lignum’s, and if you have let him in for it, and if you have put us in danger of being sold up—and I see sold up in your face, George, as plain as print—you have done a shameful action and have deceived us cruelly.”
Mrs. Bagnet accuses George of endangering their family's financial security by mishandling the debt guarantee, and she feels deeply betrayed.
Mrs. Bagnet's direct and emotional confrontation reveals the high stakes of the debt for her family.
“I do assure you both, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to discharge this obligation. But whatever I have been able to scrape together has gone every two months in keeping it up.”
George insists he is willing to do anything to repay the debt, but his income from the shooting gallery has been insufficient to cover the payments.
George's confession underscores his financial strain and his sense of responsibility.
“The old girl’s weight—is twelve stone six. Would I take that weight—in any metal—for the old girl? No. Why not? Because the old girl’s metal is far more precious—than the preciousest metal. And she’s all metal!”
Mr. Bagnet declares that his wife's worth far exceeds any monetary value, praising her loyalty and strength.
Mr. Bagnet's unusual speaking style emphasizes his deep admiration for Mrs. Bagnet.