THE TURN OF THE SCREW

THE POINT OF VIEW

One important contribution of Henry James to the art of fiction is his use of point of view.

Previous to the James’ novels, much of the fiction of the day was being written from the author’s viewpoint. (The author would create scenes in which certain characters would be involved, but all of the scenes would not necessarily have the same characters in them.)

James was interested in establishing a central person about whom the story revolved, or else a central person who could observe and report the action. Usually, the reader would have to see all the action of the story through this character’s eyes. And this is called “CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE”

In the novel “The Turn of the Screw”, we see the events from the point-of-view of the “GOVERNESS”“GOVERNESS”.

The reader has a limited knowledge and perception of the events occurring at Bly and must trust the judgment of the governess.

To understand the novel completely, we should also analyse her personality and behaviours.

In prologue, we see Henry James personally as a narrator who knows the governess and tells the story.

When we come to the main part, the narrator turns to be the governess.

The events are reflected from her own experiences thoughts and perceptions through her conversations with Mrs. Groose.

The events are told in a letter.

It’s first-person narration.

This kind of a point-of-view is what adds mystery to the story and what “turns the screw”

Ayşe Tuba KAZAN