BETWEEN PERCEPTION AND REALITY: UNRAVELING THE GOTHIC PSYCHE IN THE TURN OF THE SCREW
BETWEEN PERCEPTION AND REALITY: UNRAVELING THE GOTHIC PSYCHE IN THE TURN OF THE SCREW

Summary/Abstract: This paper examines the complex narrative and psychological depth of Henry James's The Turn of the Screw, exploring its critical aspects not only through the classical interpretation of its setting, character development, and thematic richness, but also through the prism of intertextuality, psychology, and social context, in a story steeped in ambiguity and delusion.The setting of Bly Manor, with its quintessentially Gothic atmosphere, becomes a fertile ground for the unravelling of the governess's psyche. Isolated, both socially and physically, her increasing turmoil is analysed in relation to her environment and the peculiarities of her employment, combined with her emotional and psychological descent. The isolation, her background and upbringing, society’s expectations and the unreciprocated infatuation with the children's uncle, set the stage for the climaxes of her confrontations with what she perceives as malevolent forces.An interesting aspect in the novella is the governess's complex relationship with the children, Flora and Miles, and how this evolves from watchful affection to suspicious protectiveness and finally to the children’s rejection of her visions. The story reaches a climax with the governess's second encounter with Peter Quint's ghost, interpreted through the prism of the novel she was reading prior to the encounter, Henry Fielding's Amelia. This choice of literature not only hints to the governess's state of mind but also offers insights into her character, suggesting a possible influence on her perception of reality and of her role within Bly Manor in particular and within Victorian society in general. The paper argues that the general frame for understanding the governess's experiences and actions can be interpreted as a classic manifestation of the eternal battle between good and evil, a theme that resonates well within the novella's Gothic framework. This battle is not just external but also internal, reflecting a psychological struggle within the governess, who perceives herself as a knightly figure in a moral crusade to protect the innocent.Through a detailed examination of some aspects in The Turn of the Screw, this paper demonstrates that the novella is a prime exampleof pre-modernist exploration of narrative ambiguity, psychological depth, and the subjective nature of reality. It explores the cultural and social norms and anxieties of the Victorian era, engaging various themes that include the role of women, the concept of innocence, and the repressed tensions surrounding sexuality and morality.

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