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Chapter 14
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Turn of the Screw, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
The Supernatural
Exterior vs. Interior
Storytelling
Secrecy
Youth and Innocence
Summary
Analysis
After her conversation with Miles, the governess stays outside the church and reflects upon their conversation. She thinks that he knows he “got something out of” her, or that he knew she was afraid of having to bring up why he had been expelled from school, and she expects him now to use that fear of hers against her as a way to gain freedom for himself. She says she wishes she could bring up the issue with the boy’s uncle, but the prospect of doing so was too much for her to handle.
The governess’s suspicion that Miles has been keeping a secret from her, and conspiring with Flora, has now escalated to the fear that Miles is taking advantage of her. She sees his beautiful and innocent exterior as a kind of weapon he’s now using in his own favor. Her unwillingness to report anything to the uncle shows her continued shielding of the children and desire to show her ability to handle this on her own.
Themes
Because she is so shook up by her interaction with Miles, the governess returns to Bly, leaving Mrs. Grose, Flora, and Miles behind at the church. Upon entering the home, the governess notices a stranger seated at her writing table. To her horror, the woman in the black dress is Miss Jessel. The governess calls out to her, calling her a “miserable woman”. Miss Jessel disappears.
