Tuesday, January 6, 2009

the ghosts appear

Now that I am more than halfway through the tale of The Turn Of The Screw by Henry James, it has certainly become apparent that it is indeed a ghost story. The ghosts in question are the previous deceased governess, and a friend of the master's, Quint, a suspicious creepy man who stayed at the house during the previous governess's term, and died mysteriously on a roadside. Not only do they share the curious death affairs, but they may have been something close to lovers during their time in the physical world. The new governess is frightened, not of them themselves anymore, but of the affect they seem to be having on previously conceived innocent Flora and Miles. She repeatedly catches Flora peering out of her window late at night, and on one occasion discovers it is Miles, out in the yard, with whom she is communicating. Convinced that the children are being corrupted by these evil spirits, the governess tries to figure out a way to protect them.
Another conflict that may have something to do with her suspcions is that Miles was expelled from his school, even though she has only ever thought of him as an angel (now an angel being corrupted). Could it really be the sinister ghosts slinking around the mannor, or is it possible that Flora and Miles are corrupt of their own accord? Perhaps it is simply another one of their fantasies, merely a game to them, while in reality these 'playmates' are going to lead to their ultimate demise. Only time will tell who is innocent, and who will live to tell of these other worldly encounters.

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