The Turn of the Screw Symbols and Motifs

The Seasons l The story starts in the summer l - ends in autumn

l Twilight, dusk, dawn and gray weather: symbols of danger l The fire: symbol of knowledge

Freud`s sub-categories of the human mind l The id: disregards social norms, acts selfishly and without self-consciousness. l The ego: balances the id, the super-ego and the outside world and is the part of the mind containing consciousness. l The super-ego: follows social norms and questions morality in all situations.

l The id: Quint, Miles and Flora l The ego: the Governess l The super-ego: Miss Jessel

The Ghosts l According to Freud, the Governess` wishes are buried in the unconscious mind and they resolve themselves through dreams. l The ghosts always appear after the Governess` sexual repression has been triggered.

l The Tower: associated with Quint, symbolizes the penis. l The Lake: associated with Miss Jessel, symbolizes the vagina.

l Flora playing with the flat piece of wood hole in it and the stick, symbolizes sexual intercourse. with a

Interpretation of the Story as a Christian Allegory l The garden at Bly = the Garden of Eden l Miles and Flora = Adam and Eve l Quint and Miss Jessel = the Devil l The Governess = both an angel and a Christ-like mediator

The Title : The Turn of the Screw l Sexual intercourse l Every time the screw turns it leaves a trace in the story l We learn new things as the screw turns

The Sense of Two-Sidedness l The Governess is both a savior and a cruel inquisitor l The children seem angelic but are perhaps demonic l A mix of Christian morality and pagan amorality l The Governess` view of Miles both as a child and a lover