The Ambiguity Of Henry James
(Edmund Wilson)
Abstract
of ?The Ambiguity of Henry James?
by Edmund Wilson
In his article ?The Ambiguity of Henry James? Edmund Wilson points out that The Turn of the Screw is one of the most ambiguous stories by Henry James. From the Freudian point of view, this narrative can be interpreted in two ways: psychologically and as a ghost story.
The governess, a main character, maintains to see a male and a female apparition. The governess believes that the others also meet the apparitions, but there is no evidence that the children or the housekeeper see the ghosts. The strange behavior of the governess makes the children only hysterical and uneasy. This supports the assumption that the governess mere fancies the ghosts than sees them.
According to Wilson, seeing the apparitions can be considered as the result of the repressed governess? love for her master, and the ghosts are not real ghosts but hallucinations of the governess? disturbed psyche. Moreover, the fact that Henry James has not included The Turn of the Screw in his collection?s volume with his other ghost stories makes Wilson suggest that this narrative is not a ?poltergeist? story.
On the ground of the aforesaid points Edmund Wilson comes to conclusion that The Turn of the Screw can be intended as a psychological characterization of the neurotic governess.
Resumos Relacionados
- The Turn Of The Screw
- All This And Heaven Too
- A Season Of Ghosts
- A Season Of Ghosts
- Dial A Ghost
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