The Turn of the Screw · Chapter
Chapter XVIII explained
The governess writes a letter about Miles but delays sending it.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Innocence and Corruption
Miles's charming piano playing is revealed as a deliberate distraction, suggesting his innocence is a facade for corrupt collaboration with Quint.
Appearance vs. Reality
The children's exemplary behavior masks their secret dealings with the ghosts; Miles's gentlemanly demeanor conceals his true intentions.
Isolation and Entrapment
The governess feels trapped by the children's schemes and isolated in her knowledge, unable to fully confide in Mrs. Grose or act decisively.
Characters to notice
- The Governess
Writes a letter about Miles, is distracted by his piano playing, realizes Flora is missing, and concludes the children are working with the ghosts.
- Miles
Performs brilliantly in lessons, plays the piano to distract the governess, and is suspected of being with Quint.
- Mrs. Grose
Asks about the letter, helps search for Flora, and is alarmed by the governess's revelations about the ghosts.
- Flora
Disappears after dinner; the governess believes she has gone to meet Miss Jessel.
- Peter Quint
Implied to be with Miles in the schoolroom while Flora is with Miss Jessel.
- Miss Jessel
Implied to be with Flora after her disappearance.
Key passages
“David playing to Saul could never have shown a finer sense of the occasion.”
Miles's piano playing was a masterful act of distraction, comparable to the biblical story of David soothing Saul.
The governess compares Miles to David, highlighting his manipulative charm.
“The trick's played; they've successfully worked their plan.”
The governess realizes the children have conspired to distract her so Flora can escape.
She acknowledges the children's coordinated deception.