Analysis: The Turn Of The Screw By Henry James

The novel “ The Turn of the Screw”, by Henry James explores the thin line between what it means to be sane and what it means to be insane. The blurred line has sparked many debates among literaries throughout the years. However, the debate may come to an end as it is increasingly obvious that the governess is perfectly sane. This claim is due to it not being explicitly stated, or even hinted toward, the governess ever being insane, whether before the novel’s events or after them, also the fact that she shows comprehension of what is happening to her and still choosing to protect the children, and finally, other people have seen or acknowledged the apparitions.
Firstly, the governess was never explicitly stated, or hinted toward, being insane
Her charges are often hinted toward conspiring against her and with their previous house servants, she at one point even says, “ they’re talking of them - they’re talking horrors,” (James 47) proving that two other people see them. Even Mrs. Grose wasn’t able to actually see the ghosts but she was still “ clearly convinced, in spite of her blindness, that something awful had occurred…” (James 72). The fact that others can experience the apparitions presence and sometimes interact with them is quite evidential that the governess is sane and aware of her surroundings, this proves that she isn’t insane and living in her imagination.
Some people say that the governess is insane because she “kills miles” at the end of the story. However this can easily be disputed, by the fact that Miles was just dispossessed by Quint. This is backed up by the fact that the last thing Miles says is “ Peter Quint- you devil!” (James 86) then his heart stops. The fact of the matter is that Quint dispossess Miles as soon as he acknowledges Quint in front of the governess. The governess has only ever wanted the best for the children even up to the bitter