# Mrs. Grose — The Turn of the Screw character guide > Mrs. Grose in The Turn of the Screw by Henry James. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** poor Mrs. Grose, poor scared Mrs. Grose **First appearance:** 0001-i ## Snapshot The plain, loyal housekeeper at Bly, who knows more about the house's former servants than she will say and becomes the governess's only confidante. ## Who they are Mrs. Grose has kept Bly running through masters and mistresses, and she loves the children with a motherly, unlettered warmth. She is torn between her instinct to protect them and her dread of speaking ill of the dead — especially of Miss Jessel and Peter Quint. Her half-confidences give the governess the shape of the past, and her silences give it its terror. ## Relationships ### [Flora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/characters/flora) _friendship_ Flora shares a warm, trusting bond with Mrs. Grose, who acts as a maternal figure and protector against the governess's accusations. ### [Miles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/characters/miles) _friendship_ Mrs. Grose has a fond, protective relationship with Miles, though she is troubled by his mysterious expulsion from school. ### [Miss Jessel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/characters/miss_jessel) _professional_ Mrs. Grose knew Miss Jessel as the previous governess and speaks of her with pity, aware of her tragic affair with Quint. ### [Luke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/characters/luke) _professional_ Luke is a subordinate servant to Mrs. Grose, taking orders from her in the household hierarchy. ### [Flora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/characters/flora) _friendship_ Flora shares a warm, trusting bond with Mrs. Grose, who acts as a maternal figure and protector against the governess's accusations. ### [Miles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/characters/miles) _friendship_ Mrs. Grose has a fond, protective relationship with Miles, though she is troubled by his mysterious expulsion from school. ### [Miss Jessel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/characters/miss_jessel) _professional_ Mrs. Grose knew Miss Jessel as the previous governess and speaks of her with pity, aware of her tragic affair with Quint. ### [Flora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/characters/flora) _friendship_ Flora shares a warm, trusting bond with Mrs. Grose, who acts as a maternal figure and protector against the governess's accusations. ## In the story ### [Prologue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/prologue) The housekeeper at Bly, formerly maid to the master's mother, who is fond of Flora and acts as superintendent. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/i) Welcomes the governess warmly but with a hint of guardedness; provides information about the children and the household. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/ii) Defends Miles, reveals she cannot read, and provides information about the previous governess's departure and death. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/iii) Shares a private word with the governess about the letter; they embrace and vow to see the matter out together. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/iv) Meets the governess in the hall after her return, unaware of the incident; later sees the governess at the window and is frightened. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/v) Listens to the governess's account, becomes increasingly disturbed, and ultimately identifies the man as Peter Quint. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/vi) Reveals that Peter Quint was 'much too free' and that she was afraid of him; she supports the governess but is deeply scared. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/vii) Listens to the governess's revelation, confirms Miss Jessel's infamous past with Quint, and offers motherly comfort as the governess breaks down. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/viii) Reluctantly reveals that Miles lied about spending time with Quint and that she had criticized their close alliance, showing her fear and hesitation. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/x) Mrs. Grose is mentioned as keeping the empty rooms in exemplary order, though she does not appear directly in this chapter. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/xi) Listens to the governess's account with placidity and a lack of imagination, offering a steady presence. ### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/xii) Listens to the governess's theories with growing alarm and suggests writing to the master, but is warned not to. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/xiii) Mentioned in the governess's recollection of their talk after the lake scene; the governess had perplexed her by saying she would rather keep her power of seeing. ### [Chapter XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/xiv) Walks ahead with Flora to church, present but not directly involved in the conversation. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/xv) Mentioned indirectly as part of the household; her absence at church contributes to the governess's sense of isolation. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/xvi) Admits the children asked her to keep silent about the governess's absence; is shocked by the governess's revelations and offers to communicate with the master through the bailiff. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/xvii) Mentioned indirectly as someone who might look for proof that nothing is 'out' in Miles's behavior. ### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/xviii) Asks about the letter, helps search for Flora, and is alarmed by the governess's revelations about the ghosts. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/xix) Follows the governess reluctantly, expresses fear and confusion. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/xx) Unable to see the apparition, she defends Flora and reassures her, then retreats with the child, convinced something awful has occurred. ### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/xxi) Reports Flora's fever and hatred of the governess; reveals Miles stole the letter. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/xxii) Departed with Flora, leaving the governess alone with Miles. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/xxiv) Not present in this chapter, but referenced indirectly through the earlier events with Flora. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/characters/mrs_grose - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/characters