“The Turn of the Screw,” by Henry James is a novella that is open to countless of interpretations due to its ambiguity. There is contradiction after contradiction about whether the governess is sane enough to be able to see the ghosts of Ms. Jessel and Peter Quint. In fact, since the novella was published, many critics have argued that the projections of the ghosts are subjective to the governess’s imagination, while others argue the opposite. The story revolves around a young woman, who has recently finished her education. She accepts her first job: being the governess of little Flora and Miles. The two children are under the care of their uncle after the death of their parents. For this reason, the governess moves to the mansion in Bly, where …show more content…
James does it presenting a harmless and angelic surface as part of the characterization of both children, Flora and Miles. During the first time the governess meets Flora her impression of her is rather positive, “But it was a comfort that there could be no uneasiness in a connection with anything so beatific as the radiant image of my little girl” (9). Throughout the story the children are often compared to angels. James utilizes words such as “beatific” and “radiant” to emphasize their goodness, clarity, and transparency—as if their souls were clean and free of any sins or misdeeds. Also, the word “beatific” has a connotation to religion, specifically to Christianity, which signifies “holy,” “blessed,” or “celestial.” The word choice is part of the governess’s first perception of Flora, which only implies that she regards Flora as an innocent child. The name of Flora is a variant of flower, which usually symbolizes fragility, beauty—there are some, such as the white calla lily that symbolizes purity and innocence. However, there are other floral species that have negative connotations, just as an example, the Deadly Nightshade symbolizes falsehood. So, the name Flora can have double meaning, either a positive one or a negative one. Despite the fact, though, that it usually renders a positive sense of goodness, since humans often use them, receive them, or give them during a merry time in their lives. Thus, the name Flora sustains and allows the reader to ponder on the alternative that she is deceitful, because, just as the story, Flora’s name is open to