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The Governess In The Turn Of The Screw

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Throughout the novel The Turn of the Screw by Henry James, the governess is certain that she sees ghosts and tries to convince Mrs. Grose, the housekeeper, and the children to acknowledge their presence as well. But they continuously say that they cannot see them. From the beginning of the novel the governess presents herself in a way that barely qualifies herself for the job as the children’s governess. The initial narrator, Douglas describes the governess as ‘young, untried, nervous’ (James 121). From the first chapter the governess suggests that she is a somewhat moody person. By making us aware of her changes in mood, it makes her come across as nervous, emotional, and not necessarily reliable. Her instability creates a feeling of uncertainty

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