The Turn of The Screw: Themes

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Innocence/Corruption:

Who is corrupting the children?

Is the governess being corrupted?

Physiognomy - the governess equation of beauty to either innocence or evil, no in between.

Early on believes there is no hope for Flora, even though she seems to believe Miles to be even more evil

Highly questionable feelings towards Miles

Obsession/Madness:

The governess 'numbered' the days between seeing the ghosts

Obsession with Miles/Quint/Master - who is she really trying to get to? Probably the master.

She does have very clearly laid out descriptions of her ghostly sightings - this could equally indicate madness or sanity.

the pressures of Victorian society and sexual guilt/innocence

surrogate motherhood - boundaries are easily blurred.

clear from the outset that she is almost too passionate about devoting her life to the service of the children.

Evil/Religion:

The connection between evil and beauty and Evil and class.

the governess herself is not evil, but she is drawn to the idea of sexual evil.

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