Questions and Answers
What occasion is being celebrated when the novel opens?
Who volunteers to narrate a more exciting story?
Douglas
What is the governess's initial reaction upon meeting Flora?
She feels welcomed and full of joy.
What shocking news does the governess receive about Miles?
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Who does the governess see at the window?
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Who identifies the figure at the window as Peter Quint?
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What does the governess suspect about the children's knowledge of the ghosts?
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What does Miles claim when questioned about his behavior?
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How does Mrs. Grose react to the governess's claims about the children?
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What does the governess promise to do regarding her employer?
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What causes the governess to start doubting the children's innocence?
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What does Miles express a desire for in chapter 14?
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The governess feels comfortable discussing Miles's school dismissal with him.
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How does the governess react when she sees Miss Jessel?
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What does Mrs. Grose reveal about the children's knowledge of the governess's absence?
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What did the governess conclude about Flora's whereabouts after finding her missing?
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What happens when the governess mentions the name Jessel in chapter 20?
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What decision does the governess make after learning about Flora's illness?
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What does Miles confess to the governess in chapter 24?
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The governess successfully prevents Miles from seeing the ghost of Peter Quint.
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Study Notes
Prologue
- A group of men narrates ghost stories around a fire on Christmas Eve.
- Douglas reveals his intent to tell a ghost story about two children, requiring time for a manuscript.
- The story centers on a governess, hired by an uncle to care for his orphaned niece and nephew, Flora, and Miles, under unusual conditions.
Chapter 1
- The governess travels to Bly, feeling apprehensive but finds comfort upon meeting Flora.
- Flora's charming welcome and Mrs. Grose's friendship ease her fears.
- The governess is captivated by Bly's old-fashioned grandeur, taking joy in her new role.
Chapter 2
- The governess receives letters from her employer and Miles's school, learning of Miles's dismissal.
- Conflicted, she discusses the news with Mrs. Grose, who seems surprised but defends Miles's character.
- The governess learns about the mysterious death of the former governess, Miss Jessel, and hears of a former employee's unsavory reputation.
Chapter 3
- Miles arrives, displaying innocence, contradicting the school's dismissal.
- The governess decides not to inform him or her employer about the letter.
- As she grows closer to the children, she daydreams about her employer’s potential visits.
Chapter 4
- The governess witnesses a mysterious figure atop a tower but is uncertain about its significance.
- She becomes lost in thought about Bly’s hidden secrets and delays returning home.
- Days pass with no recurrence of the apparition, yet she feels suspicious of what she saw.
Chapter 5
- The governess tells Mrs. Grose of her experience at the window, feeling the figure was searching for the children.
- Descriptions of the man lead Mrs. Grose to identify him as Peter Quint, the former valet, revealing his past misdeeds.
- The governess is alarmed that Quint is dead yet still seems to haunt the children.
Chapter 6
- Mrs. Grose acknowledges Quint's influence on the children, revealing his past interactions with them.
- The governess feels a strong responsibility to protect Flora and Miles from these malevolent influences.
- While out with Flora, the governess sights another apparition across the lake but must keep Flora unaware.
Chapter 7
- The governess expresses her belief that the children are aware of the ghosts, which Mrs. Grose reluctantly considers.
- The history of Miss Jessel's association with Quint, including her disgrace, comes to light, increasing the governess's fears about the children being influenced by evil.
Chapter 8
- The governess’s suspicions toward the children grow as she occasionally confides in Mrs. Grose.
- Despite her monitoring, the children seem unaware of the supernatural elements around them, further confusing her.
- Learning about Quint’s past makes her view the children under a negative lens.
Chapter 9
- Routine days pass without new events, but the governess remains suspicious of the children's behavior.
- Miles’s sharpness surprises the governess, raising her doubts regarding his innocence.
- The unexpected appearance of Peter Quint adds to her anxieties during a moment of solitary work.
Chapter 10
- The governess discovers Flora missing one night but finds her hiding, leading to increased vigilance.
- Encounters with apparitions escalate, and she finds Miles outside in a peculiar position.
- The alternating visits of Peter Quint and Jessel serve to torment the governess psychologically.
Chapter 11
- The governess recounts the night’s events to Mrs. Grose, who struggles to reconcile them with her perception of the children.
- Miles admits to attempting a trick, further clouding the governess's understanding of his innocence.
- The nature of their interactions raises the governess’s suspicions and compels her to look for underlying corruption.
Chapter 12
- The governess persists in her belief of the children's moral decline, urging Mrs. Grose to seek help from their employer.
- Mrs. Grose is reluctant to believe in their wickedness, highlighting her protective nature over the children.
- The governess's refusal to contact the master signifies her commitment to guard the household’s secrets.
Chapter 13
- The absence of ghostly encounters leads to a more harmonious existence at Bly, albeit overshadowed by suspicion.
- The children grow close to the governess, seeking stories from her past, while she remains troubled by potential paranormal awareness.
- Her affection for the children conflicts with her growing doubts about their innocence.
Chapter 14
- The governess reflects on the children's compliance, questioning their desire for freedom.
- Miles voices discontent toward his situation, pushing for a return to school, confronting the governess with his desire for independence.
- His suggestion to write to their uncle surprises the governess and elicits her dismay about the situation.
Chapter 15
- The governess grapples with an internal conflict about revealing Miles's school dismissal.
- Opting for avoidance of confrontation, she contemplates escaping from Bly due to overwhelming stress.
- An apparition of Miss Jessel shocks her, adding to the emotional turmoil surrounding the events at Bly.### Chapter 16
- Mrs. Grose and the children return from church, avoiding questions about the governess's absence.
- The governess feels disappointed, particularly by Mrs. Grose's silence.
- Mrs. Grose reveals the children requested her to keep quiet, believing the governess prefers solitude.
- The governess shares her encounter with Miss Jessel, fabricating a story about Jessel wanting to talk to Flora.
- Mrs. Grose is shocked, and the governess decides to call her employer for assistance.
Chapter 17
- The governess struggles to write a letter, distracted by rain and her restless mind.
- She discovers Miles is awake; he discusses her attitude towards him and Flora.
- Upon inquiring about school, Miles avoids the question, expressing a desire to return.
- He assures the governess of her commitment to his well-being but falls silent about their past at Bly.
- Miles distracts the governess by shrieking and extinguishing a candle, hinting at mischief.
Chapter 18
- The governess keeps her letter to her employer in her pocket, intending to post it later.
- She engages in lessons with the children, who impress her with their abilities, especially Miles.
- Miles plays an enchanting melody on the piano, causing the governess to lose track of time.
- When she realizes Flora is missing, she believes the children tricked her into thinking they met with Jessel and Quint.
- She asks Mrs. Grose to join her in searching for Flora and leaves the letter on the table for later posting.
Chapter 19
- The governess and Mrs. Grose head towards the lake, suspecting Jessel's presence.
- They find a hidden boat that could have been used by Flora.
- Upon reaching a secluded area, they find Flora playing, who seems unfazed by their presence.
- Flora avoids explaining her visit to the lake, causing the governess unease.
Chapter 20
- The mention of Jessel unsettles Flora, prompting a reaction from Mrs. Grose.
- The governess sees Jessel's apparition across the bank, feeling validated in her suspicions about Flora.
- Mrs. Grose does not see the ghost, causing a rift between the governess and them.
- Flora accuses the governess of cruelty, expressing fear and wanting to return home.
- The governess feels defeated, realizing she has lost control over Flora's situation.
Chapter 21
- Mrs. Grose visits the governess to discuss Flora's illness and her distress about Jessel.
- Flora has requested the governess leave Bly, expressing strong disapproval of her.
- The governess decides to let Flora go with Mrs. Grose while remaining at Bly to watch over Miles.
- Mrs. Grose agrees, concerned for Miles and the possibility he took the letter the governess left on the table.
Chapter 22
- After Flora and Mrs. Grose's departure, the governess is left alone with Miles, who is monitored by inquisitive staff.
- Miles has already had breakfast with Flora and Mrs. Grose, wanting freedom before facing the governess.
- The governess reflects on her tumultuous experience at Bly and the necessity of confronting Miles.
- When alone, Miles hints at his happiness but remains reticent about deeper issues.
Chapter 23
- With the absence of others, Miles and the governess become acutely aware of each other's presence.
- Miles appears nervous and distracted, mentioning he needs to meet with Luke.
- The governess allows him to leave but inquires if he took her letter from the table.
Chapter 24
- Miles admits to stealing and reading the letter, ultimately burning it to learn her thoughts on him.
- He confides about previous misbehavior at school, though he refutes accusations of stealing.
- As Miles opens up, the governess observes Peter Quint's figure at the window but conceals her shock from him.
- To shield Miles, she embraces him, preventing him from seeing the apparition.
- Miles, sensing something, questions whether she saw Jessel and, upon her indication towards the window, collapses, revealing fear of the ghostly presence.
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Description
Explore the key themes and events in the prologue of 'The Turn of the Screw'. This quiz breaks down the opening narrative, setting the stage for the haunting story of two children and their ghostly encounters. Perfect for those looking to grasp the initial context and tone of this classic novella.
