Haunted Bly Manor: A Governess’s Tale of Supernatural Terror
Abstract: Another Twist
A governess accepts a job to educate two children in a mansion called Bly. She was hired by the owner of the mansion, the children’s uncle, who never visits them and is only responsible for their education. When the governess arrives at Bly, she meets Mrs. Grose, the housekeeper, with whom she develops a close friendship. The governess meets the two children she will care for, Miles and Flora, who exude a great deal of tenderness. As time passes, the governess realizes that the children are acting strangely but does not know why. She experiences several apparitions. Investigating, the governess discovers that they are the previous governess, “Miss Jessel,” and the manager, “Dr. Quint,” both deceased. These apparitions were influencing the children. The governess realizes this and seeks to save them, but she is unsure how. She decides to investigate by asking Mrs. Grose, who tells her that these two individuals had previously worked in the house and greatly influenced the children. Mrs. Grose and the governess conclude that they were lost souls who came to take the children. The governess tries to get information from the children, but they always dodge her for one reason or another. In the end, she realizes that she must confront the ghosts, and she does. When Dr. Quint reappears, the governess confronts him with her eyes, containing her fear, and then the ghost goes away forever. Only then does she realize that Dr. Quint’s soul was possessing the boy, and when it left, the child died.
Rationale for the Title
The story deals with contact with beings that are not normal. It speaks as if nature had given a twist to create these beings.
Description of the Most Important Characters
The Governess
This is a young English girl, pretty and charming, without experience in the job offered. She is blond with brown eyes. When in charge of caring for two children in a mansion where ghosts appear, she is strong and stays until the end for the sake of the children.
Mrs. Grose
Mrs. Grose is an excellent housekeeper who has served the house for many years. She has no children but feels a special affection for Miles and Flora. She is a very kind person.
Miles
Miles is a somewhat strange boy. He was expelled from school for telling ghost stories, so they thought he was crazy. He is always isolated from people.
Dr. Quint
He has very red and curly hair. His face is elongated, with noble features and a thin mustache as red as his hair. His eyebrows are darker and appear to be highly mobile, often arching. His eyes are small and inquisitive. His mouth is large but with very thin lips, and his smile is accentuated by his mustache. He is evil and wants to take Miles’s soul with him.
Miss Jessel
She does not have a normal appearance. She always has an evil smile on her face. She’s the one who wants to take little Flora. She is almost always dressed in black.
Flora
Flora is a girl who is also a bit distant from people, but not as much as Miles. She always ignores Miss Jessel, pretending not to see her.