The Turn of the Screw: Chapter 1-4 Study Guide

The Turn of the Screw: Chapter 1-4 Study Guide NAME______

English I

King

Prologue

1.  Explain the figure of speech “another turn of the screw” (James 1) and how does it apply to Douglas’s story?

2.  Describe the relationship between Douglas and the governess.

3.  Describe the governess and her past before coming to London to interview for the position as governess.

4.  Why is the governess so taken by the man in Harley Street?

5.  What is the name of the home in which the governess will work?

6.  What is the man in Harley Streets’ one condition?

Chapter 1

1.  Describe the governess’s first opinions of Flora.

2.  According to Mrs. Grose, if the governess was “carried away” in Harley Street, she will also be “carried away” by what?

Chapter 2

1.  What are the contents of the letter that the governess receives at the beginning of Chapter 2?

2.  According to the governess, what must be the reason for Miles’ dismissal from school?

3.  According to Mrs. Grose, is Miles bad?

4.  Discuss the ambiguity of the following quote: “Oh, he did…it was the way he likes everyone!” (James 12).

5.  What information does Mrs. Grose relate to the governess about the death of the former governess?

Chapter 3

1.  What is the governess first impression of Miles?

2.  What does the governess resolve to do about the letter?

3.  How does governess spend her few free hours everyday at the mansion?

4.  What discovery does the governess make while in the garden one June evening?

Chapter 4

1.  What assumption does the governess make about the man from the tower?

2.  What prevents Mrs. Grose and the governess from attending church service in the morning?

3.  What item must the governess retrieve from the parlor before walking to church?

4.  According to the governess what can she deduce from the gaze of the man upon his second appearance to her in the window?