The Governess’s Conflict with Peter Quint

The Turn of the Screw

This flow follows the contest the Governess perceives between herself and Peter Quint over access to Miles.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Figure Above A Figure Above from "The Turn of the Screw". The First Challenge A Stranger on the Tower The Governess sees a man watching her from the tower and feels his gaze as a direct challenge.

A Figure Above from "The Turn of the Screw". The First Challenge A Stranger on the Tower The Governess sees a man watching her from the tower and feels his gaze as a direct challenge.

The First Challenge A Stranger on the Tower The Governess sees a man watching her from the tower and feels his gaze as a direct challenge. No Explanation He disappears without speaking, and she cannot determine how he entered or left the grounds. The silent encounter begins a conflict founded on the Governess’s sense of being observed.

A Face Through Glass A Face Through Glass from "The Turn of the Screw". The Window Encounter Recognition The Governess sees the man again through the dining-room window and believes he has come for someone else.

A Face Through Glass from "The Turn of the Screw". The Window Encounter Recognition The Governess sees the man again through the dining-room window and believes he has come for someone else.

The Window Encounter Recognition The Governess sees the man again through the dining-room window and believes he has come for someone else. Pursuit Outside She rushes around the house, but the grounds are empty when she reaches the place where he stood. The disappearance strengthens her conviction that his movements resist ordinary explanation.

The Protector’s Vow The Protector’s Vow from "The Turn of the Screw". A Contest for Miles A Named Adversary Once the Governess learns the stranger is Peter Quint, she decides that he wants Miles.

The Protector’s Vow from "The Turn of the Screw". A Contest for Miles A Named Adversary Once the Governess learns the stranger is Peter Quint, she decides that he wants Miles.

A Contest for Miles A Named Adversary Once the Governess learns the stranger is Peter Quint, she decides that he wants Miles. The Governess’s Plan She vows to expose herself to the apparition so that the children may remain safe. Her response turns fear into a personal contest, although Miles himself has not confirmed the danger.

The Staircase Stand The Staircase Stand from "The Turn of the Screw". Fearless for a Moment Facing Quint The Governess meets Peter Quint on the staircase and feels no terror as they stare at close range.

The Staircase Stand from "The Turn of the Screw". Fearless for a Moment Facing Quint The Governess meets Peter Quint on the staircase and feels no terror as they stare at close range.

Fearless for a Moment Facing Quint The Governess meets Peter Quint on the staircase and feels no terror as they stare at close range. A Silent Retreat He turns and descends into darkness while she holds her position. The apparent victory briefly confirms her courage but does not end the haunting or protect her from later doubt.

The Contest at the Window The Contest at the Window from "The Turn of the Screw". The Last Struggle A Face Returns Peter Quint appears outside while the Governess questions Miles about his school history.

The Contest at the Window from "The Turn of the Screw". The Last Struggle A Face Returns Peter Quint appears outside while the Governess questions Miles about his school history.

The Last Struggle A Face Returns Peter Quint appears outside while the Governess questions Miles about his school history. A Fatal Victory Claim She believes that naming Quint will free Miles, but the boy sees only the quiet day and dies in her arms. The conflict’s final outcome is loss, not a verifiable defeat of the apparition.

Mid-June, at dusk

Several days later, during the late afternoon

After Mrs. Grose identifies Quint

A later early morning

The final scene