The Turn of the Screw · Character

Flora

The master's small niece, a lovely, self-possessed child whose sudden stillness and wandering attention unsettle the governess more than any tantrum could.

supporting

Also known as little Flora, Miss Flora, dear little Flora, Flora

First appearance: I

As a supporting figure in The Turn of the Screw, Flora is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The small niece of the master, living at Bly under Mrs.

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Flora is Miles's younger sister, left at Bly with him under the governess's care and rarely mentioned by their uncle. She is sweet, obedient, and unnervingly composed — until she begins to slip away to the pond and to…

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See Flora in I

Character Web

6 connections

A slice of how Flora sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Psychological
Family
Social
Other

Character groups

Bly's Inhabitants and Ghosts
Protagonist
Frame Story Participants and Authority

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where the governess,…

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Relationships

Mrs. Grose
friendship · positive
Flora shares a warm, trusting bond with Mrs. How this plays out →
Miss Jessel
psychological · negative
Miles
family · positive
Douglas
social · ambivalent
Luke
social · ambivalent
Mrs. Grose
friendship · positive
Flora shares a warm, trusting bond with Mrs. How this plays out →
Mrs. Grose
friendship · positive
Flora shares a warm, trusting bond with Mrs. How this plays out →
Miss Jessel
psychological · negative

Mrs. Grose
Flora shares a warm, trusting bond with Mrs. Grose, who acts as a maternal figure and protector against the governess's accusations.
Miss Jessel
The governess believes Flora is secretly in league with Miss Jessel's ghost, though Flora vehemently denies seeing her.
Miles
Flora and Miles are siblings who share a close, conspiratorial bond, often presenting a united front against the governess.
Douglas
Douglas mentions Flora only as part of the story's background, having no direct relationship with her.
Luke
Flora interacts with Luke as a servant of the household, but their relationship is not developed in the story.
Mrs. Grose
Flora shares a warm, trusting bond with Mrs. Grose, who acts as a maternal figure and protector against the governess's accusations.
Mrs. Grose
Flora shares a warm, trusting bond with Mrs. Grose, who acts as a maternal figure and protector against the governess's accusations.
Miss Jessel
The governess believes Flora is secretly in league with Miss Jessel's ghost, though Flora vehemently denies seeing her.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Flora in I

In the story

Flora appears across 21 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Prologue
The small niece of the master, living at Bly under Mrs. Grose's care.
I
The governess's young pupil, described as angelically beautiful and confident; she shows the governess around Bly.
II
Appears at the schoolroom door, showing affection for the governess, who embraces her.
Chapter III
Mentioned as having been seen by the governess with the same freshness and purity as Miles; earlier she had led the governess to the tower.
IV
Mentioned as one of the governess's charming charges, along with Miles.
VI
Accompanies the governess by the lake; plays 'very hard' while the governess senses a third presence.
VII
Mentioned as having seen Miss Jessel by the lake but keeping it secret, leading the governess to fear the child's complicity.
Chapter VIII
Described as engaging in suspicious behavior by the lake, including singing and gabbling nonsense, which the governess interprets as an attempt to hide her awareness of Miss Jessel.
Chapter IX
Asleep during the governess's nighttime encounter; described as a 'perfection of childish rest.'
Chapter X
Flora is caught by the governess after sneaking to the window to observe the ghostly figure. She appears innocent but the governess believes she is lying and in contact with Miss Jessel.
Chapter XI
Mentioned as having been involved in Miles's plan to alert the governess by looking out the window.
Chapter XII
Walks with Miles and appears sweet, but the governess interprets her behavior as part of a fraudulent performance.
XIII
Participates in the same silent understanding and the ritual of asking about their uncle; the governess believes she sees more than is revealed.
Chapter XIV
Walks ahead with Mrs. Grose, mentioned as a point of comparison by Miles.
Chapter XVI
Reported by Mrs. Grose as sweetly agreeing to keep silent about the governess's absence.
XVII
Mentioned as being at peace beside the governess earlier in the evening.
Chapter XVIII
Disappears after dinner; the governess believes she has gone to meet Miss Jessel.
XIX
Found by the lake after taking the boat; smiles but remains silent and evasive.
Chapter XX
Denies seeing Miss Jessel, accuses the governess of cruelty, and clings to Mrs. Grose, demanding to be taken away.
Chapter XXI
Feverish, terrified of the governess, and speaking horribly about her.
XXII
Has been taken away by Mrs. Grose due to illness, presumably caused by the events at Bly.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Flora unlock in the free preview.

See Flora in I

See Flora in Prologue