# VI explained — The Turn of the Screw

> Chapter companion for The Turn of the Screw by Henry James.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Innocence and Corruption

The governess fears Quint's corrupting influence on the children, especially Miles, and sees herself as a protector of their innocence.

### Appearance vs. Reality

Mrs. Grose admits she knew Quint was bad but did not tell the master, highlighting the gap between outward propriety and hidden truth.

### Isolation and Entrapment

The governess and Mrs. Grose feel cut off together, united in their danger, and the governess describes the children as having 'nothing but me'.

## Character check-ins

### The Governess

Resolves to act as a protective screen for the children; feels a heroic mission to shield them from the ghosts.

### Mrs. Grose

Reveals that Peter Quint was 'much too free' and that she was afraid of him; she supports the governess but is deeply scared.

### Miles

Mentioned as the one Quint was looking for; the governess notes he has never spoken of Quint.

### Flora

Accompanies the governess by the lake; plays 'very hard' while the governess senses a third presence.

### Peter Quint

Described as 'definitely and admittedly bad', 'much too free', and his death is recounted as a fall on an icy slope.

### The Master

Mentioned as not being told about Quint's bad behavior; he 'didn't like talebearing'.

## Key lines

> He was looking for someone else, you say⁠—someone who was not you? ... He was looking for little Miles.

The governess concludes that Peter Quint's ghost is specifically seeking Miles, not her.

_This establishes Quint's targeted interest in Miles._

> Quint was much too free.

Mrs. Grose describes Quint as excessively familiar and improper in his behavior.

_Implies a corrupting influence, especially on the children._

> I was a screen⁠—I was to stand before them. The more I saw, the less they would.

The governess sees herself as a barrier, absorbing the ghostly visions to protect the children from seeing them.

_Reveals her self-appointed role as protector._

> I became aware that, on the other side of the Sea of Azof, we had an interested spectator.

While playing with Flora by the lake, the governess senses someone watching them from across the water.

_Foreshadows the reappearance of Miss Jessel._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/vi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters