The Turn of the Screw - A Look at a Criticism :: Henry James Turn Screw Essays

The Turn of the know - A Look at a Criticism   There argon many different ways to interpret The Turn of the Screw, by atomic number 1 James. Many critics over the past century have voiced their opinions just about the story. Each critical analysis of the story disagrees with the beliefs expressed in another. Robert B. Heilman is a critic who wrote in the mid-twentieth century. He interprets The Turn of the Screw to be a representation of the conflict between good and sinister. Heilmans points atomic number 18 clear and apparently well thought out, but there are flaws in his contention that make his interpretation questionable.   In his 1948 essay, Robert Heilman explores the suggestion that The Turn of the Screw is a signic representation of the conflict between good and evil. Heilman interprets the apparitions of Peter phoebe bird and Miss Jessel as evil forces. He explains that the ghosts only appear to the governess because evil lurks in subtlety before it strik es. It is the duty of the governess to detect and ward get rid of evil. She must protect the children from the awful ghosts. The governess describes Miles and vegetation as beautiful miniature cherubs whose only fault is their gentleness (James, 18-19). Heilman views the childrens beauty as a symbol of the spiritual perfection of which man is capable. Heilman explains the ghosts attempts to reach the children by explaining that evil forces leave behind always try to conquer and possess the human soul. Heilman continues to draw from the descriptions of Miles and Flora to support his theories. He points out that the two children are described as having an angelic beauty and a positive fragrance of purity (James 9, 13). The governess describes them as if they are perfect and beautiful in every way. This repeated good deal of beauty, radiance, and innocence parallels the image of Eden. The house at Bly also resembles this image, I remember the lawn and the bright flowers... (James 7). The governess makes mention of the comfortable sky and of Floras hair of gold, which Heilman believes connects Bly and Flora with these images of golden hues (James 7, 9).   Robert Heilman perceives that the ghost of Peter Quint is a direct representation of the snake in the grass that plagues the Garden of Eden. Heilman supports this with the description of Quint found in the text, His eyes are sharp, strange- awfully .