The Turn of the Screw · Chapter
Chapter X explained
The governess discovers Flora missing from her bed and confronts her, suspecting she has been communicating with the apparition of Miss Jessel.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Innocence and Corruption
Flora's apparent innocence is questioned as the governess suspects her of lying and communicating with the ghostly Miss Jessel, blurring the line between childlike purity and corruption.
Appearance vs. Reality
The governess's perception of Flora's actions and the true nature of the children's behavior is constantly challenged, as what appears to be innocent play may conceal secret dealings with the supernatural.
Isolation and Entrapment
The governess feels trapped in her role and in the house, unable to escape the haunting and her own suspicions, leading to sleepless nights and obsessive surveillance.
Characters to notice
- The Governess
The governess is increasingly paranoid and vigilant, suspecting Flora of lying and secretly communicating with Miss Jessel. She stealthily observes the children and the grounds, driven by her fear of the apparitions.
- Flora
Flora is caught by the governess after sneaking to the window to observe the ghostly figure. She appears innocent but the governess believes she is lying and in contact with Miss Jessel.
- Miles
Miles is seen on the lawn at night, looking up at the tower, suggesting he is involved with the supernatural presence. The governess considers confronting him but hesitates.
- Miss Jessel
Miss Jessel is the apparition Flora is secretly communicating with from the window. The governess also sees a woman on the staircase in an attitude of woe, identified as Miss Jessel.
- Mrs. Grose
Mrs. Grose is mentioned as keeping the empty rooms in exemplary order, though she does not appear directly in this chapter.
Key passages
“You naughty: where have you been?”
Flora scolds the governess for leaving the room, reversing the expected roles of authority.
Flora's reproach highlights her manipulative innocence and the governess's loss of control.
“I absolutely believed she lied; and if I once more closed my eyes it was before the dazzle of the three or four possible ways in which I might take this up.”
The governess is certain Flora is lying and considers multiple strategies to confront her.
This moment reveals the governess's internal conflict and her growing paranoia.
“She was face to face with the apparition we had met at the lake, and could now communicate with it as she had not then been able to do.”
The governess realizes Flora is secretly interacting with the ghost of Miss Jessel from the window.
This confirms the governess's suspicion that the children are in contact with the spirits.
“The presence on the lawn—I felt sick as I made it out—was poor little Miles himself.”
The governess is horrified to discover that the figure on the lawn is Miles, not the ghost she expected.
This twist deepens the mystery and suggests Miles is also involved with the supernatural.