Analyzing ‘The Turn of the Screw’: Chapter Questions & Answers
Prologue
Questions & Answers
1. According to Eleanor, what was especially frightening about the first ghost story?
The ghost appeared first to a small child.
2. How did Douglas know Catherine Blake, and when did they first meet?
Douglas knew Catherine Blake because she was his sister’s governess. They met one summer when he came home from university.
3. What was the condition for the governess job, and why did Lord Henry demand it?
The governess would be completely responsible for Miles and Flora. Lord Henry demanded this because he was busy and didn’t want to be bothered with problems or questions about the children.
Chapter 1
Questions & Answers
1. What was Catherine’s first impression of Flora?
Flora was like an angel, so beautiful it was difficult to describe.
2. What two things were strange on Catherine’s first evening at Bly?
Mrs. Grose’s happiness and the distant cry of a child, along with footsteps Catherine thought she heard.
Chapter 2
Questions & Answers
1. What did the headmaster say in his letter to Lord Henry, and what reason did he give?
Miles couldn’t return to school after the holidays, but no clear reason was given.
2. How do we know Mrs. Grose felt uncomfortable discussing the previous governess?
Her face turned red, and there was something strange in her manner.
3. What did Catherine notice about Miles at the train station?
She loved him immediately and saw something angelic and special about him.
4. How did Catherine feel about the children and Bly?
She was almost in love with the children and felt happy and free in the lovely surroundings.
Chapter 3
Questions & Answers
1. Describe Catherine’s first meeting with the stranger at the tower and how she felt.
The stranger stared at Catherine without moving. She felt very cold.
2. What two explanations did Catherine give for the man on the tower?
She thought he was a servant or a stranger curious about old mansions.
3. What did Catherine see in the dining room?
She saw the same stranger outside the window.
4. How did Catherine describe the stranger to Mrs. Grose?
He was sinister, elegantly dressed but not a gentleman, with small eyes and thin lips.
5. According to Mrs. Grose, who was the stranger, his connection to Bly, and what happened to him?
The stranger was Peter Quint, Lord Henry’s former assistant who lived at Bly and supervised changes. He was dead.
Chapter 4
Questions & Answers
1. Describe the relationship between Quint and Miss Jessel.
Miss Jessel loved Quint passionately, but he laughed at her and ended the relationship.
2. How did Flora react after seeing the figures at the lake? Why was this strange?
Flora stared, then acted as if no one was there, even though Catherine still saw the figures.
Chapter 5
Questions & Answers
1. In Catherine’s opinion, who was the woman at the lake?
The woman was Miss Jessel.
2. How did Catherine describe Miss Jessel to Mrs. Grose?
She was dressed in black, looked frightening like a ghost, and was evil.
3. Why did Quint go out with Miles so often?
To be with Miss Jessel during excursions.
Chapter 6
Questions & Answers
1. What will Catherine do if there are more ghostly visits?
She will try to stop Quint before he visits Miles.
2. How did the children spend their days with Catherine?
They spent their days delightfully.
3. Why hadn’t Catherine tried to find a new school for Miles?
She was too busy with the mysterious events at Bly.
Chapter 7
Questions & Answers
1. What did Catherine understand after looking into Quint’s eyes?
If she could stare at him for a minute without fear, she would never be afraid again.
2. What happened when Catherine returned to her room?
Flora was not in bed but looking out the window into the garden.
3. Why didn’t Catherine confront Flora about the ghosts?
She thought Flora would lie and deny everything.
Chapter 8
Questions & Answers
1. Describe what Flora was doing when Catherine woke up in the middle of the night.
She was standing behind the curtain, absorbed in something outside the window.
2. Why was Catherine surprised when the moon moved from behind the cloud?
She saw that it was Miles in the garden, not the woman at the lake.
3. What was Miles’ explanation for his trick?
He wanted to show he could be bad too.
Chapter 9
Questions & Answers
1. In Catherine’s opinion, what did the ghosts want, and how were they trying to achieve it?
They wanted to possess Miles and Flora and would destroy them if necessary.
2. What two decisions did Catherine make to help the children?
The children mustn’t communicate with the ghosts, and their uncle must take them away.
3. On what occasion did Miles behave badly?
He insulted Mrs. Grose when she said he couldn’t spend time with Quint.
Chapter 10
Questions & Answers
1. What did Miles ask Catherine while walking to church, and what was her reply?
He asked when he would return to school. She said he was special and should stay at Bly for protection.
2. What did Miles suggest, and why did it make Catherine feel cold?
He asked if his uncle would agree, as if reading Catherine’s mind.
3. Describe what Catherine saw in her room. What was her first thought?
She saw someone at her desk and thought it was a servant, but it was Miss Jessel’s ghost.
Chapter 11
Questions & Answers
1. When did the children try to please Catherine, and why?
When a ghost was near or Catherine was close to their secret, to distract her.
2. What did Catherine think Miss Jessel was saying without words?
She wanted to share her suffering with Flora.
3. What two decisions did Catherine make?
She would not leave Bly and would write to Lord Henry.
4. Was Catherine becoming possessed, or were things at Bly really strange?
Things were as strange as she thought.
5. Why do you think Miles wanted his uncle to take him away from Bly?
To escape the ghostly visits and have a better life.
Chapter 12
Questions & Answers
1. What happened after Miles played the piano, and what was the result?
Catherine lost track of time, and Flora disappeared.
2. Why wasn’t Catherine frightened of Quint anymore?
She knew Miles wanted to escape Quint.
3. Why didn’t Mrs. Grose believe Flora took the boat?
Flora was a child, and the boat was heavy.
Chapter 13
Questions & Answers
1. What did Flora do while Mrs. Grose embraced her, and what did Catherine understand?
Flora stared silently, indicating a silent battle and refusal to explain.
2. Why was Catherine happy to see Miss Jessel at the lake?
She thought Mrs. Grose would also see the ghost and understand.
3. Why did Catherine’s happiness disappear quickly?
Mrs. Grose didn’t see Miss Jessel’s ghost.
4. What made Catherine feel she had lost Flora?
Flora’s denial of everything.
Chapter 14
Questions & Answers
1. What suggestions did Catherine make to Mrs. Grose?
Take Flora and leave Bly.
2. What happened to Catherine’s letter to Lord Henry?
Miles stole it.
3. How will Mrs. Grose help Catherine?
She will take Flora to London.
Chapter 15
Questions & Answers
1. Why was Miles anxious?
He was looking for the ghosts.
2. What happened after Catherine asked Miles about the letter?
She realized they were not alone.
Chapter 16
1. Who was the `final battle’ between, and what did each side want?
The final battle was between Catherine and Quint, a demon, or a human soul.
2. Why did Quint come back?
He came back m make a final attempt to stop Miles speaking, to stop him confess everything to Catherine.
3. Why did Catherine think she had won and Quint had lost Miles forever?
Because Miles confessed everything.
4. Why had Catherine `done Miles no favour’? What had she really done to Miles in the end?
Because what she really did was kill him, Miles needed Quint’s visits.