Jennifer asked this question about The Turn of the Screw:
[SPOILERS] Supposing we read the story as the Governess's decent into madness rather than as a "ghost story," how can we explain that according to Douglas, the Governess must have held another governess post after the events of this story as she is introduced by him as the former governess of his little sister and it is later explained that Miles and Flora were her first pupils/charges?
Yuridia You can go the route of blaming it on the time period or setting. In this time period mental illness was not well understood and someone of her status…moreYou can go the route of blaming it on the time period or setting. In this time period mental illness was not well understood and someone of her status probably wouldnt have been accused of being insane unless someone above her status did the accusing. She might of been insane but because she was in a secluded environment where the only true witnesses to her insanity was Mrs. Grose (someone beneath her) and a child there would be no proof of mental illness or even a reason to doubt it when she left the manor. (less)
Image for The Turn of the Screw
Rate this book
Clear rating

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more