Who Is The Narrator In The Turn Of The Screw

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Narrators serve as the main source of information that is revealed to its readers. However, the credibility of a narrator can affect how readers view the narrator and the story as a whole. In Henry James’ “The Turn of the Screw”, the story begins with the opening narrator, Douglas, who begins to describe the governess to us. “She was young, untried, and nervous: it was a vision of serious duties and little company, of really great loneliness” (28). Douglas gives us some insight as to who the governess is, pointing out the fact that the governess may not be fit for this job. He describes the governess in a positive light, however we can infer that she may not be the best fit for the job. The governess takes over the narration in the first chapter, presenting herself as someone who may not even be qualified for the job. Her own skepticism of her ability to be the governess is portrayed in the first chapter. She hints towards her moody behavior, clearly doubting if she is a right fit for the job. As she describes the children, Miles and Flora, she has a clear obsession with the kids, and even their uncle who hired her. She begins to fixate on the “ghosts” of Peter Quint and Ms. Jessel. She displays possessive behavior towards the kids regarding the ghosts, causing an abundance of problems within the house.
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