The Turn of the Screw · Character

Peter Quint

The master's former valet, handsome, impudent, and dead, whose lingering presence at Bly the governess comes to see as a corruption aimed at Miles.

supporting

Also known as Quint, Mr. Quint, Peter

First appearance: Chapter III

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

The mysterious man on the tower is not yet identified as Quint, but the governess notes he is a stranger, not anyone she has seen before.

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Quint was the master's own man — clever, spoiled, and, by Mrs. Grose's account, 'too free' with everyone in the house. He took a peculiar fancy to Miles, and the boy has never once spoken his name. His face at the tower…

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The fuller portrait of Peter Quint sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Peter Quint in Chapter III

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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In the story

Peter Quint appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter III
The mysterious man on the tower is not yet identified as Quint, but the governess notes he is a stranger, not anyone she has seen before.
IV
Appears again at the dining room window, staring at the governess and then looking at other things, suggesting he is there for someone else.
V
Identified by Mrs. Grose as the master's former valet, now dead; described as wearing the master's clothes and having a striking, actor-like appearance.
VI
Described as 'definitely and admittedly bad', 'much too free', and his death is recounted as a fall on an icy slope.
VII
Referenced as the depraved former servant who had an infamous relationship with Miss Jessel and did what he wished with them all.
Chapter VIII
Referenced as having a close relationship with Miles, spending hours with him, and being described as a 'base menial' by Mrs. Grose.
Chapter IX
Appears on the staircase at night; the governess faces him without terror and watches him disappear.
Chapter XI
Referenced indirectly as the figure who 'hungrily hovered' on the staircase, haunting the governess's memory.
Chapter XII
Referenced as one of the 'tempters' who, along with Miss Jessel, is trying to draw the children to destruction.
XIII
Recalled as the apparition on the tower and at the window; the governess expects to come upon him around corners but does not see him during this period.
Chapter XVIII
Implied to be with Miles in the schoolroom while Flora is with Miss Jessel.
XXIV
Appears at the window multiple times during the confrontation, finally seen by Miles before his death.

Chapter companion notes

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See Peter Quint in Chapter III