Chapter XVI explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Isolation and Entrapment

  The governess feels trapped by the children's silence and her own fears, and Mrs. Grose is depicted as a 'large clean image of the put away'—locked and resigned.

• Power and Control

  The governess asserts control by deciding to write to the master, while Miles and Flora attempt to control the narrative through Mrs. Grose's silence.

Characters to notice

• The Governess

  Confronts Mrs. Grose about the children's silence, reveals her talk with Miss Jessel, and resolves to write to the master about Miles's expulsion.

• Mrs. Grose

  Admits the children asked her to keep silent about the governess's absence; is shocked by the governess's revelations and offers to communicate with the master through the bailiff.

• Miles

  Reported by Mrs. Grose as saying 'We must do nothing but what she likes!' regarding the governess's absence.

• Flora

  Reported by Mrs. Grose as sweetly agreeing to keep silent about the governess's absence.

• Miss Jessel

  The governess claims to have spoken with her in the schoolroom; Miss Jessel suffers torments of the lost and damned and wants Flora.

Key passages

• “I had so perfectly expected that the return of my pupils would be marked by a demonstration that I was freshly upset at having to take into account that they were dumb about my absence.”

  The governess expected the children to react to her absence but is upset that they said nothing.

  Highlights the children's unusual silence and the governess's growing suspicion.

• “She wants Flora.”

  Miss Jessel desires to take Flora with her into damnation.

  Reveals the governess's belief that Miss Jessel is a malevolent spirit targeting Flora.

• “I'll put it before him, that I can't undertake to work the question on behalf of a child who has been expelled—”

  The governess plans to tell the master she cannot manage a child who was expelled from school.

  Shows her determination to involve the master and expose Miles's past.