How important is the role of the narrator in 'The Turn of the Screw'?

Harry Morgan

How important is the role of the narrator in ‘The Turn of the Screw’?

In Henry James’ “The Turn of the Screw” the narrator has an essential role when interpreting the events of the book itself. James indirectly raises the issue of the narrator’s sanity and therefore reliability, which creates the vast amounts of ambiguity for which the novella is most famously known.

James makes an early suggestion that the Governess may not be a reliable narrator when she states that: ‘I'm rather easily carried away.’. This suggests that the issue could ‘easily’ become an obsession of speculations to the point where she perceives them as reality.

Also, the Governess later admits how her ‘imagination had, in a flash, turned real’. Once again, James indicates that the Governess may be an unreliable source. However, as we are only told the story from one perspective and due to the fact that these issues are merely suggested by subtle evidence and never stated, the reader is constantly left uncertain.

This ambiguity adds to the sense of mystery throughout. This, along with the sense of isolation in a strange environment described by James gives the novella typical characteristics of a gothic novel. There is even ambiguity surrounding the setting itself. At times it is understood to be charming and peaceful, being described as ‘friendly’ and ‘bright’. These adjectives suggest that the presence of evil was unlikely- almost impossible- and yet, the air of isolation poses the presence of an unknown ‘man’ as an immediate threat. In portraying these characteristics of a gothic novel, James is adding social appeal due to the historical context of the time. In this era, gothic novels were relatively modern and vastly popular, adding to the intriguing nature of the novella.

Additionally, the ambiguity and uncertainty forces the reader to play detective throughout the novella; looking out for other hints or evidence in hope of answering their personal questions and solving the mystery. In doing this, James makes the reader more involved, forcing them to interact further; one of the most entertaining aspects of the novella.

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Furthermore, the ambiguity of whether the narrator is reliable may also represent a decision that James himself genuinely could not make. Perhaps he was undecided on which explanation would be more horrific and effective; the neurotic insane Governess who persecutes genuine and innocent children or the devious and calculated possessed children tormenting their protective and well-meaning heroine. The reader can only speculate as nothing is stated for certain.

When considering the reliability of the narrator, possible explanations of why the Governess may not be in an ideal mental state comes into question. There are various possible reasons for this subtly suggested by James. Firstly, it may simply be due to her curiosities and anxieties, which developed in to a continuous obsession. The fact that in moving into the manor was the Governess’ first long term departure from home (‘a different affair’), and also considering the suspicious nature of her new position could ‘easily’ have caused her imagination to ‘in a flash, turned real’.

Secondly, another suggested possible explanation for the deterioration of the Governess’ mental state could be sexual repression. In the beginning of the novella James describes how the Governess ‘succumbed’ to the ‘seduction exercised by the splendid young man’ who was her employer, the handsome uncle. It also tells of how she had ‘passion’ for him explaining why she may have fantasised over his approval. This may lead to the interpretation that Governess’ repression has caused her perceptions to become her reality. Her courage and heroism is simply an attempt to show her value to her uninterested employer of whom she is so lustful.

This indication of sexual repression is shown by the Governess’ description of Peter Quint. She describes him as ‘Remarkably!’ handsome and to have ‘good features’. She also claims ‘he’s like nobody’ suggesting another element of attraction towards him. Additionally, she claims he gives a ‘sense of looking like an actor’. It continues to imply he’s in the master’s clothes as Quint used to do previously, acting as a surrogate for the master. This unusual fascination with the males in the novella is supporting evidence that she is sexually repressed and is therefore an unreliable narrator.

However, there is another possible explanation for the Governess’ neurotic behaviour and possible insanity. The master tells the Governess that in working for him she would have ‘supreme authority’ at the household. Therefore, it could be interpreted that the battle in which she has with the children, is her subconciously fighting to keep control and this ‘authority’. The ghosts of Quint and Jessel that she ‘saw’ could be fragments of her imagination, created subconciously in order to justify her actions.

This subconcious competative battle is shown when she states: ‘They’re not mine... They’re his’. These implies that she is so neurotic that she has no concern for the children; they are merely a possesion to compete for in order to keep authority. It is also implied in the language she uses in the last chapter, such as: describing Miles as ‘my own’ and she how seeks ‘victory’ in Quint’s ‘surrender’.

The ambiguity over miles death may also provide evidence for the reliability of the narrator depending on the way in which we interpret his death. Was he killed in the act of Quint’s ghost disposessing his body; suffocated by the Governess’ efforts to protect him or even literally frightened to death by the governess’ neuortic behaviour? The latter two of these explanations would perhaps suggest both the innosence of Miles and the insanity of the Governess. In describing Miles to be ‘baffled’ and ‘bewildered’ at the suggestion of ghosts implies that he was in fact innocent supporting these latter theories. Futher evidence is provided in the physical state of Miles describing him to be ‘breathing hard’ suggestion that her behaviour was having a dangerous effect upon the child. Then, in his actions: describing him to give a ‘frantic little shake’ suggests genuine panic and fear. Finally, in using the verb ‘siezed’, James is implying an aggressive, over-powering action, oncemore indicating that the innocent Miles was suffocated or frightened to death by the actions of the neurotic Governess. Not only does this provide further evidence that the Governess is unreliable due to insanity, it also adds irony to the ending of the novel. It would seem that the Governess’ desire to know and possess would have led to Miles’ death, concluding that she would know and possess nothing.

Another reason why the Governess may be considered an unreliable narrator is due to the lack of evidence she provides for the ghosts’ existence. For example, when describing her experience with Mrs.Jessel, she explains how she ‘felt her’ as apposed to seeing her. Also, when she claims to have has a conversation with Mrs.Jessel, she there is only mention of what the Governess says, she says nothing about anything Mrs.Jessel said.

Throughout the novella, the structure of sentences created by James when describing the narrators’ thoughts adds to her interesting role. James uses particulary long sentences, including many commas in her thoughts/narrations. This generates the impression that they are the Governess’ frantic thoughts, adding to her portrayal as a neurotic, unreliable, mad woman.

Ultimately, the fact that the Governess does not seem to fufil the traditional role of the narrator: re-telling the story clearly. She seems to be involved to suggest to us that our perceptions are unreliable and that the truth is hard to obtain, rather than merely describing as the reader has come to expect from narrators. This appears to be the main theme of the story and is its most intruiging aspect, giving it its origionality and individuality. Therefore, the narrators role in ‘The Turn of the Screw’, is abundantly important and significant.

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