The Turn of the Screw · Chapter
Chapter XXI explained
Mrs.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Innocence and Corruption
Flora's transformation from innocent child to a 'horrible' speaker of appalling language suggests corruption.
Isolation and Entrapment
The governess feels trapped at Bly and plans to isolate Miles from his sister to force a confession.
Characters to notice
- The Governess
Determined to keep Miles and send Flora away; believes Miles wants to confess.
- Mrs. Grose
Reports Flora's fever and hatred of the governess; reveals Miles stole the letter.
- Flora
Feverish, terrified of the governess, and speaking horribly about her.
- Miles
Suspected of stealing and destroying the governess's letter; the governess hopes he will confess.
Key passages
“She persists in denying to you that she saw, or has ever seen, anything?”
The governess asks Mrs. Grose if Flora still claims she never saw the ghost.
The governess is fixated on Flora's denial of seeing Miss Jessel.
“Your letter won't have got there. Your letter never went.”
Mrs. Grose reveals the governess's letter to the master was never sent.
Miles is suspected of intercepting and destroying the letter.
“He stole letters!”
Mrs. Grose concludes that Miles stole letters at school, explaining his expulsion.
This revelation links Miles's past misdeed to his current behavior.