The Turn of the Screw · Chapters

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Chapter companions for The Turn of the Screw by Henry James.

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Chapter 1
Prologue
A group of friends gathered at a country house are told a ghost story by Douglas, who reveals that the story comes from a manuscript written by his sister's former governess. He describes how the governess, a young woman from a poor parsonage, was hired by a charming but distant gentleman to care for his niece and nephew at his country estate, Bly. The governess agreed to the position despite the master's condition that she never trouble him. Douglas promises to read the full narrative over the following nights.
Chapter 2
I
The governess arrives at Bly, meets Mrs. Grose and her young pupil Flora, and begins to settle into her new role. She explores the estate with Flora, feeling both wonder and slight unease, and learns that her other pupil, Miles, will arrive shortly.
Chapter 3
II
The governess receives a letter from her employer enclosing an unopened letter from the headmaster of Miles's school, which reveals that Miles has been expelled and will not be allowed to return. Distressed, she confides in Mrs. Grose, who cannot read and defends Miles's character, urging the governess to see him first before believing ill of him. The governess also learns from Mrs. Grose that the previous governess left suddenly and later died, deepening her unease.
Chapter 4
Chapter III
The governess describes her initial enchantment with Miles, whom she finds impossibly beautiful and innocent, and her decision to ignore the letter about his expulsion. She forms a pact with Mrs. Grose to see the matter out. Later, during her solitary evening walks, she sees a mysterious man on the tower—a figure she initially mistakes for someone else but realizes is a stranger—who fixes her with a long, unsettling stare before moving away.
Chapter 5
IV
The governess reflects on her first sighting of Peter Quint and her subsequent fear. She decides not to tell Mrs. Grose about the encounter, rationalizing it as an intrusion by a curious traveler. She becomes increasingly devoted to Miles and Flora, finding joy in her work and dismissing Miles's school expulsion as unjust. Later, she sees Quint again at the dining room window, realizes he is there for someone else, and rushes outside to find him gone. Mrs. Grose sees her at the window and is frightened.

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Prologue

I

II

Chapter III

IV