# The Governess — The Turn of the Screw character guide > The Governess in The Turn of the Screw by Henry James. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Unknown, me, I, my friend **First appearance:** 0000-prologue ## Snapshot A young, unnamed governess arrives at Bly expecting a quiet post, only to find herself the sole guardian of two children and the keeper of secrets no one will name. ## Who they are She is the daughter of a country parson, barely twenty, hired by an absent uncle who refuses all contact and leaves her wholly in charge. Her fierce devotion to Miles and Flora curdles into a desperate vigilance when she begins to see figures the children never mention. Her letters, her certainty, and her silences are the only record we have — and she is writing to be believed. ## In the story ### [Prologue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/i) Arrives at Bly, meets Flora and Mrs. Grose, and begins to feel both excitement and a slight sense of oppression. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/ii) Receives the letter about Miles's expulsion, struggles with distress, and questions Mrs. Grose about Miles and the previous governess. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/iv) Experiences fear after seeing Quint, decides to keep the encounter secret, and becomes devoted to the children. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/v) Describes her terror and the second sighting of the strange man, pressing Mrs. Grose for information. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/vi) Resolves to act as a protective screen for the children; feels a heroic mission to shield them from the ghosts. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/ix) Describes her struggle with suspicion and her growing attachment to the children; confronts Quint on the staircase without fear. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/xi) Describes her secret conversation with Mrs. Grose and her internal turmoil during the confrontation with Miles. ### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/xii) Articulates her conviction that the children are conspiring with the ghosts and refuses to appeal to their uncle for help. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/xiv) Feels like a gaoler, struggles to maintain control as Miles challenges her authority and questions her thoughts. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/xv) Tormented by fear and indecision, she briefly considers fleeing Bly but is galvanized by the apparition of Miss Jessel. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/xvii) Confronts Miles in his bedroom, driven by obsession to uncover the truth about his past and the supernatural influences at Bly. ### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/xix) Leads the search for Flora and confronts her about Miss Jessel. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/xxi) Determined to keep Miles and send Flora away; believes Miles wants to confess. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/xxii) Left alone with Miles, she feels the weight of her ordeal and tries to maintain a facade of firmness and control. ### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/xxiii) Presses Miles for a confession, feeling both hope and horror at her own coercion. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/chapters/xxiv) Drives Miles to confession, confronts Quint's ghost, and ultimately holds Miles as he dies. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_turn_of_the_screw_se/characters/narrator - 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