Topic: Psychoanalytic Interpretation of "The Turn of the Screw"

Order Description Psychoanalytic Interpretation of "The Turn of the Screw" The novel “The Turn of the Screw” by Henry James is framed in a stunning and enigmatic way that opens diverse analytical procedures. Therefore, the analysis and critique of this novel gives a wider view of issues that comes out vividly. One particular important way to analyze this novel is through psychoanalytic perspective. This comes out well through viewing the characters, the author, as well as their respective actions as the way a therapists handles his or her patients. It is further imperative to point out that the aspect of psychoanalysis is wide and multiple schools of thought vividly comes out through the process. For instance, various schools of thoughts such as Jungian, Lacanian as well as Freudian respectively can be used to analyze this literary work. The Freudian school of thought is the most favorable in analyzing this novel. Sigmund Feud also known as “father of modern psychoanalytic theory” laid a perfect foundation for psychotherapy as well as structuring a human psyche model that plays a crucial .role in analyzing diverse literary works up to date. The plot of the novel “The Turn of the Screw” brings a psychological aspect that links to what Freud wrote in “The Interpretation of Dreams”. The young woman is highlighted by the author as being deranged and imaginative in her own way. For instance, when ‘The Governess’ takes the position of becoming an educator and caretaker of the children she did not have any idea how the living environment would be as well as the utter loneliness in the area. She also get impressed by the gentleman she meets on her interview in London. James describes the scenario as …“He struck her, inevitably as gallant and splendid, but what took her most of all and gave her the courage she afterwards showed was that he put the whole thing to her as a favor, an obligation he should gratefully incur” (James, 2009: 4). The working environment is presented as unusual and therefore she is deliberated most of the duties. Her naivety made her feel rewarded by only the shake of hand from the gentleman. The above scenario presents diverse behaviors. The young woman is unprepared and inexperience which drags her into uncertainty. Under the Freudian school of thought Sigmund suggests that this is suffering from “Electra complex”. This is because the gentleman who offers her the job is older as well as richer which sets higher standards and hurdles for the girl. As mentioned in the novel, her father is poor and fragile country Parson. Therefore, from psychoanalytic point of view, this aspect makes the young woman gullible as compared to another girl that comes from a family with a strong father. Sigmund Freud also points out fundamental psychoanalytic procedures that he describes as “an individual’s unconscious desires are not ruled by reason: one has no awareness of them”. This firmly supports the acts of The Governess in the book who is placed in a flawed situation by being asked to take care of a country house. She is also mandated to manage as well as become an educator for the younger children without any contribution in form of advice and mentorship from their parents (James, 2009). Her logic directs her as being tricked and starts seeing things that are not realistic to her. The hallucination of the young girl’s panic make her see as losing her grip from the realistic things. The argument that comes out clearly is that maybe the governess is probably thinking about her employer there it comes to her as “imaginary ghosts”. These feelings lack a perfect description and turns into a psychosis. Freud gives a preposition that engulfs the difference between neurosis and psychosis. For instance, in the neurosis process, the ego in reality suppresses the identity while in psychosis one detaches him/herself from reality. This is seen when the governess detaches herself from reality and this causes imbalance in her state of mind until she decides to scare one child and frightens another to death so as she came to reality. The same psychoanalytic process is seen in the governess when she represses her feelings. Freud in his book “Repression” points out that “the essence of repression lies simply in turning something away, and keeping it at a distance from the conscious”. This is seen in the governess who simply keeps the thoughts of her employer out of her mind given the precaution that she is asked not to contact them. This gives her an only option of repressing and ignoring her feelings by keeping them out of her conscious mind. The theory of repression effectively comes out of in the novel. The governess sees herself as the only savior to the children from the ravaging “ghosts” (James, 2009). This further causes insomnia and leaves her volatile. The novel, "The Turn of the Screw" has effectively utilized the psychoanalytic views as seen in diverse scenes and this makes it one of the masterpieces as far as application of psychotherapy in literary works is concerned. Freud also addressed two major things, i.e., “dream-content” and “dream thoughts” in the ‘The Interpretation of Dreams’. Translation and comparison between two is made within the book. “Dream-thoughts” may be perceived as quite dense and detailed along with a quite brief dream. A toll can be taken over the health of a being physically and mentally, if he/she is restless and cannot sleep. Here comes a valid statement whether the governess’ idea regarding the haunted estate contributes to her tiredness due to the children sneaking at night. This theory of Freudian has been argued by Edmund Wilson in “The Ambiguity of Henry James’. The importance of the governess’s interest in the pieces of wood can also be observed with respect to the Freudian perspective. The fact is that the female vision appears on the lake and the male apparition appears on the tower (Wilson, 1934). In this particular scene, the sexual implications can be perceived through the governess’ lens who is attempting to restrain her sexuality and who is rough. On the contrary, the similar theory of Edmund Wilson has been considered as ‘wobbly’ by Robert Heilman in ‘The Freudian Reading of the Turn of the Screw’. According to him, the feelings of the governess for the master are never withdrawn; they are blissfully talked about and are entirely open. In chapter one of the book, it is shown that the governess is completely in love with the master. However, it can be argued that a remark forwarded by the master in terms of work is the main reason due to which governess is in love with the master. Throughout the work, instead of the proclamation of the feelings, evidence regarding its repression is majorly shown (Heilman, 1947). Even by the end of the story, when Mrs. Grouse – the housekeeper seeks governess permission to allow the Master to meet her, the governess advises her not to do so. This shows that governess would have allowed him only even if she was happily in love with him. Under the perspective of Gender and Feminism studies, the book ‘The Turn of the Screw’ can be perceived. In Unbearable Weight: Feminism, Western Culture, and the Body, the epidemic hysteria to the Victorian era have also been addressed by Susan Bordo. All due to their incapability to cope up with strain and stress and due to their sensitive nature, the female gender of the Victorian era were admired. Faints and brain ham rage were most common disorders at that time amongst females. According to doctors of that time, it appeared to emerge extreme egocentric attitude in them, sudden and dramatic moods swings without any reasons and hysterical personality, such as, highly labile, narcissistic, suggestible and impressionable. Similar description highlights the personality of the governess within the book. Various qualities of the females of the Victorian era are displayed by her and they were also perceived as acceptable and way normal. In ‘the Madwoman in the Attic’, diseased and infectious women were titles given to working class women, whereas, ill, frail or sick titles were given to upper-middle and upper class by Gubar and Gilbert. “The faction of female invalidism” was pointed out by them that got developed in America and England. In this book, the governess appear to live up to the societal expectations, provided these descriptions of disorders of women who were perceived normal during that era. When it comes to reading a book, like, ‘The Turn of the Screw’ by Henry James, it is significant to evaluate the book on the basis of various theories found within it. Something novel can be discovered within the book through examination of each theory. One of the most apparent theories that seem to be present within the book is the Freudian Theory. One can come across various scenes while reading the book, those relational to ideas of Freud.