The Turn of the Screw · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for The Turn of the Screw by Henry James.
Chapter 1
Prologue
A group of friends gathered at a country house are told a ghost story by Douglas, who reveals that the story comes from a manuscript written by his sister's former governess. He describes how the governess, a young woman from a poor parsonage, was hired by a charming but distant gentleman to care for his niece and nephew at his country estate, Bly. The governess agreed to the position despite the master's condition that she never trouble him. Douglas promises to read the full narrative over the following nights.
Chapter 2
I
The governess arrives at Bly, meets Mrs. Grose and her young pupil Flora, and begins to settle into her new role. She explores the estate with Flora, feeling both wonder and slight unease, and learns that her other pupil, Miles, will arrive shortly.
Chapter 3
II
The governess receives a letter from her employer enclosing an unopened letter from the headmaster of Miles's school, which reveals that Miles has been expelled and will not be allowed to return. Distressed, she confides in Mrs. Grose, who cannot read and defends Miles's character, urging the governess to see him first before believing ill of him. The governess also learns from Mrs. Grose that the previous governess left suddenly and later died, deepening her unease.
Chapter 4
Chapter III
The governess describes her initial enchantment with Miles, whom she finds impossibly beautiful and innocent, and her decision to ignore the letter about his expulsion. She forms a pact with Mrs. Grose to see the matter out. Later, during her solitary evening walks, she sees a mysterious man on the tower—a figure she initially mistakes for someone else but realizes is a stranger—who fixes her with a long, unsettling stare before moving away.
Chapter 5
IV
The governess reflects on her first sighting of Peter Quint and her subsequent fear. She decides not to tell Mrs. Grose about the encounter, rationalizing it as an intrusion by a curious traveler. She becomes increasingly devoted to Miles and Flora, finding joy in her work and dismissing Miles's school expulsion as unjust. Later, she sees Quint again at the dining room window, realizes he is there for someone else, and rushes outside to find him gone. Mrs. Grose sees her at the window and is frightened.
Chapter 6
V
The governess, visibly shaken, confides in Mrs. Grose about her second sighting of the mysterious man, whom she first saw on the tower. She describes him in detail, leading Mrs. Grose to identify him as Peter Quint, the master's former valet, who died under unknown circumstances.
Chapter 7
VI
The governess and Mrs. Grose have a long, emotional discussion about the ghostly apparitions. Mrs. Grose reveals that Peter Quint was 'much too free' with everyone, especially with Miles, and that the master was unaware of Quint's true nature. The governess resolves to protect the children at all costs, seeing herself as a screen between them and the ghosts. Later, while alone with Flora by the lake, she senses the presence of a third person—presumably Miss Jessel—across the water.
Chapter 8
VII
The governess confides in Mrs. Grose about seeing Miss Jessel by the lake with Flora, revealing that Flora saw the apparition but kept it secret. Mrs. Grose confirms the infamous history between Miss Jessel and Peter Quint, and the governess breaks down in despair, feeling unable to protect the children.
Chapter 9
Chapter VIII
The governess and Mrs. Grose discuss the apparitions and the children's possible involvement. The governess recounts Flora's behavior by the lake, which she interprets as a deliberate attempt to hide her awareness of Miss Jessel. She presses Mrs. Grose for details about Miles's past with Peter Quint, learning that Miles lied about spending time with Quint and that Mrs. Grose had previously criticized the closeness of their relationship.
Chapter 10
Chapter IX
The governess describes a period of relative calm and intense closeness with Miles and Flora, during which the children display extraordinary talents and affection. However, the peace is shattered one night when she encounters the ghost of Peter Quint on the staircase. This time, she feels no terror but a fierce determination, and the apparition retreats into the darkness.
Chapter 11
Chapter X
The governess discovers Flora missing from her bed and confronts her, suspecting she has been communicating with the apparition of Miss Jessel. Later, she finds Flora again at the window, secretly observing the ghostly figure. The governess then ventures to an empty room to spy on the lawn, where she sees Miles standing, looking up at the tower, suggesting he is also involved with the supernatural presence.
Chapter 12
Chapter XI
The governess recounts to Mrs. Grose her late-night confrontation with Miles after finding him outside. Miles explains he went out deliberately to be 'bad' and had arranged with Flora to alert her. The governess feels both admiration and entrapment, realizing Miles cleverly manipulates her fear of introducing supernatural accusations.
Chapter 13
Chapter XII
The governess elaborates on her theory that the children are in secret communion with the ghosts of Peter Quint and Miss Jessel, who are luring them toward destruction. She insists that Miles and Flora's unnatural goodness is a facade, and she rejects Mrs. Grose's suggestion to summon their uncle, fearing his contempt.
Chapter 14
XIII
The governess describes a month of tense, silent standoff with Miles and Flora, during which she feels the children are aware of her predicament and deliberately avoid forbidden topics. She experiences no further apparitions but senses the presence of Quint and Miss Jessel, believing the children see more than she does. The chapter ends with a sudden, relieving change.
Chapter 15
Chapter XIV
On a Sunday morning walk to church, Miles confronts the governess about his return to school, revealing his desire for independence and 'more life.' Their tense conversation escalates as Miles hints at his awareness of the governess's fears and his own power, culminating in his declaration that he will make his uncle come down to Bly.
Chapter 16
XV
The governess, overwhelmed by the pressure of Miles's probing questions and her own fears, considers fleeing Bly entirely. She imagines escaping without a scene, but as she sits at the foot of the staircase, she recalls seeing the ghost of Miss Jessel there. Entering the schoolroom, she finds Miss Jessel seated at her table, a tragic and accusing figure. The encounter strengthens her resolve to stay, though she remains tormented by the mystery of Miles's expulsion and his growing manipulation.
Chapter 17
Chapter XVI
The governess confronts Mrs. Grose about the children's silence regarding her absence, learning they asked her to say nothing. She reveals her encounter with Miss Jessel, who suffers torments and wants Flora. The governess resolves to send for the children's uncle, intending to show him the letter about Miles's expulsion.
Chapter 18
XVII
The governess confronts Miles in his bedroom at night, attempting to draw out the truth about his past and his expulsion from school. Their tense conversation reveals Miles's desire to leave Bly and his uncle's involvement, culminating in a supernatural disturbance—a gust of wind extinguishes the candle—which Miles claims to have blown out himself.
Chapter 19
Chapter XVIII
The governess writes a letter about Miles but delays sending it. Miles plays the piano to distract her while Flora disappears. The governess realizes the children are colluding with the ghosts: Flora with Miss Jessel and Miles with Peter Quint. She and Mrs. Grose search for Flora, and the governess leaves the letter on the hall table before rushing out into the damp afternoon.
Chapter 20
XIX
The governess leads Mrs. Grose to the lake in search of Flora, who has taken the boat to the far side. They find Flora smiling and picking fern, and the governess directly asks her where Miss Jessel is.
Chapter 21
Chapter XX
The governess confronts Flora by the lake, insisting she sees Miss Jessel, but Flora denies it and turns against her, leading to a crisis where Mrs. Grose takes Flora away. Later, the governess finds Miles waiting with her in silence by the fire.
Chapter 22
Chapter XXI
Mrs. Grose reports that Flora is feverish and terrified of the governess, not of Miss Jessel. The governess decides Mrs. Grose must take Flora away to her uncle, while she stays alone with Miles, hoping he will confess. Mrs. Grose reveals that Flora has spoken horribly about the governess and that the governess's letter to the master never went—Miles likely stole and destroyed it.
Chapter 23
XXII
The governess is left alone with Miles after Mrs. Grose and Flora depart. She struggles with her fears and the burden of confronting the supernatural elements alone. Miles behaves with unsettling composure, and they share a tense meal where the governess attempts to maintain control while avoiding direct discussion of the recent events.
Chapter 24
Chapter XXIII
The governess confronts Miles alone, pressing him to confess what is on his mind. Miles deflects with charm and evasion, claiming he must see Luke, but the governess insists on a smaller admission: whether he took her letter from the hall table.
Chapter 25
XXIV
In the climactic final confrontation, the governess forces Miles to confess to stealing a letter she had written to his uncle, then presses him about his expulsion from school. Miles admits he 'said things' to a few friends, which were repeated and led to his dismissal. As the governess exults in her perceived victory, Peter Quint appears again at the window. She tries to shield Miles, but he sees the ghost, names Peter Quint, and then collapses in her arms, his heart having stopped.
