The Governess

Prologue

The young woman who wrote the manuscript; she was the governess at Bly, hired by the master and later in love with him.

I

Arrives at Bly, meets Flora and Mrs. Grose, and begins to feel both excitement and a slight sense of oppression.

II

Receives the letter about Miles's expulsion, struggles with distress, and questions Mrs. Grose about Miles and the previous governess.

Chapter III

Describes her infatuation with Miles and her decision to ignore the letter; later, during her evening walk, she sees a mysterious man on the tower.

IV

Experiences fear after seeing Quint, decides to keep the encounter secret, and becomes devoted to the children.

V

Describes her terror and the second sighting of the strange man, pressing Mrs. Grose for information.

VI

Resolves to act as a protective screen for the children; feels a heroic mission to shield them from the ghosts.

VII

Desperately confides in Mrs. Grose about Flora's encounter with Miss Jessel, expressing horror at the child's secrecy and her own failure to protect the children.

Chapter VIII

Presses Mrs. Grose for information about Miles's past with Quint, recounts Flora's suspicious behavior by the lake, and struggles with her suspicions about the children.

Chapter IX

Describes her struggle with suspicion and her growing attachment to the children; confronts Quint on the staircase without fear.

Chapter X

The governess is increasingly paranoid and vigilant, suspecting Flora of lying and secretly communicating with Miss Jessel. She stealthily observes the children and the grounds, driven by her fear of the apparitions.

Chapter XI

Describes her secret conversation with Mrs. Grose and her internal turmoil during the confrontation with Miles.

Chapter XII

Articulates her conviction that the children are conspiring with the ghosts and refuses to appeal to their uncle for help.

XIII

Describes her deepening obsession and the strain of the silent struggle with the children; she feels her power of perception has deepened but her eyes are 'sealed' to the ghosts.

Chapter XIV

Feels like a gaoler, struggles to maintain control as Miles challenges her authority and questions her thoughts.

XV

Tormented by fear and indecision, she briefly considers fleeing Bly but is galvanized by the apparition of Miss Jessel.

Chapter XVI

Confronts Mrs. Grose about the children's silence, reveals her talk with Miss Jessel, and resolves to write to the master about Miles's expulsion.

XVII

Confronts Miles in his bedroom, driven by obsession to uncover the truth about his past and the supernatural influences at Bly.

Chapter XVIII

Writes a letter about Miles, is distracted by his piano playing, realizes Flora is missing, and concludes the children are working with the ghosts.

XIX

Leads the search for Flora and confronts her about Miss Jessel.

Chapter XX

Desperately tries to prove Miss Jessel's presence to Mrs. Grose and Flora, feels her authority crumble, and later grieves alone before returning to the house.

Chapter XXI

Determined to keep Miles and send Flora away; believes Miles wants to confess.

XXII

Left alone with Miles, she feels the weight of her ordeal and tries to maintain a facade of firmness and control.

Chapter XXIII

Presses Miles for a confession, feeling both hope and horror at her own coercion.

XXIV

Drives Miles to confession, confronts Quint's ghost, and ultimately holds Miles as he dies.