Freud Essay, Research Paper

A Freudian Turn of the Screw

There is one question about The Turn of the Screw that has never and probably will never be answered to everyone’s total satisfaction. Is it a ghost story or is it a psychiatric case history? The story which for years was presumed by most to just be a mere ghost story has in later years, after being studied much more deeply has proven itself to some that it is a psychological thriller and an overall thought provoking topic.

There are three major areas in which the story seems to be more psychological: The use of symbolism, the mentality and background of the story’s characters, and the center of consciousness point of view. Although Henry James never committed to ghost story or psychological meanings, it is almost too obvious that there were hidden messages.

Henry James can capture a reader by the imagination and hard thinking. There is enough evidence to convince proponents of either opinion. It’s probably not so much the evidence as it is the predilection of the proponent that determines their choice. A person who has an imaginative soul or who finds it easy to rise above the mundane restrictions of everyday life would probably argue that Peter Quint and Miss Jessel are ghosts, where as a more logical thinker with a literal sense of mind would probably search out the explanation in psychopathology. The decision is really left up to the reader.

Henry James use of symbolism in The Turn of the Screw seems to be the easiest way to sway the reader’s opinion toward the psychological theory. There are several types of symbolism used throughout the story but the three that seem to be the most prevalent are: mirror symbolism, name symbolism and space symbolism. These symbolisms are easily overlooked, but when they are discovered is undeniably obvious.

Mirror symbolism is the most obvious of the three. The plot of the story must be understood before on can fully understand the symbolism. A young woman who has lived a very sheltered life is sent to a country estate and is charged with becoming a governess with the responsibility of taking care of two children. At some point she hears the story of the children’s former governess, Miss Jessel, and her lover, Peter Quint, and how they were ultimately killed. This story triggers her already overly romantic imagination. The young governess begins seeing two apparitions, which in her mind could be none other than Miss Jessel and Peter Quint. This is where mirror symbolism comes in. Every time the young governess saw one of these apparitions, the story makes it very clear that she is standing in front of or around some type of reflective surface. She is either standing in front of a window or overlooking the lake. This point would lead the reader to believe that what the governess wants to see and what she is actually seeing are two very different things. She is a very romantic, imaginative thinker who subconsciously longs for adventure. She wants to see these ghosts so badly that she, in her minds eye makes out her own reflections to be just that. This is a very good example of psychological problems.

The second, slightly more questionable type of symbolism is name symbolism. It is given that names can mean so many different things. In The Turn of the Screw the children’s names are thought to have meaning. Miles, the little boys name is thought to mean long journey or far distances, and Flora the little girls name is assumed to mean flowers. These meanings are thought to represent the governess’ opinion of each child. Miles is adored and set apart or possible above everyone else and Flora is so sweet and beautiful like flowers.

The third type of symbolism is space symbolism. This just states that it is a long journey from Bly, the estate when the governess is coming from her home.

The second psychological aspect or theory of The Turn of the Screw is the way Henry James defines each of the characters mentality and gives their place in life without ever just coming out and saying it. The story explains how when the governess went for the job interview she instantly fell in love with her employer. This shows her sexual repression, which leads one to think that she has leaded a somewhat sheltered lifestyle. This would prove her longing for adventure and her overwhelming love for the children.

Miles and Flora have both been somewhat mentally traumatized by the Peter Quint and Miss Jessel affair. It is assumed that the former governess and her lover were possibly very promiscuous in front of the children, which leads to Miles’ behavior at the beginning of the story. He gets sent home from school because of the obscene way he talks and acts.

The third element in this psychological analogy and probably the most important is James’ use of a center of consciousness point of view. A center of consciousness point of view states that a person’s state of mind determines their actions and reactions. Therefore proving the point that The Turn of the Screw is a psychiatric case history.

All of these three elements formed the Freudian opinion, which is simply saying this novel goes a lot deeper than just and urban legend. It actually probes the mind of readers on all intellectual levels. The Turn of the Screw was an excellent representation of the actual horror of psychological instability because instead of this horror story just being an unbelievable tale, it brings it to a serous level of reality. It really could have happened or worse it does happen.